Arizona County Considers Not Hiring Smokers
…the Pima County Board of Supervisors will vote later this month on a policy that would refuse the hiring of any smokers.
The proposal would also impose a 30 percent health-insurance surcharge on employees who smoke or consumer other tobacco products.
County health officials say the policy could lead to more than $1 million in savings annually in health-care costs.
The county estimates 32 percent of its more than 2,000 workers are tobacco users.
But opponent believe it’s discrimination to tell people they can’t smoke in their personal lives.
Copyright 2014 Liberaland
104 responses to Arizona County Considers Not Hiring Smokers
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Carla Akins December 6th, 2014 at 19:49
Hey, I’m one of those dirty smokers and they can bite me. It’s a legal product. I do however see how they could charge more for health insurance although it’s a slippery slope – what’s next, meat eaters.
mea_mark December 6th, 2014 at 20:31
Yes, meat eaters should pay more for health insurance. No one wants to pay for my vices, I don’t want to pay for yours. Now if your willing to pay for mine, well, then we need to negotiate.
Robert M. Snyder December 6th, 2014 at 20:41
If anyone should pay more, it’s vegans. We had a few of those at the liberal arts college I attended in the early 80’s, and they were the some of the most lethargic, sullen, and humorless people I have ever met. But I guess that’s redundant, since I already mentioned that it was a liberal arts college.
mea_mark December 6th, 2014 at 20:49
They just appeared lethargic, sullen and humorless. If you had seen them the night before after eating their brownies and placing little pieces of paper on their tongues you would understand how energetic, cosmic and funny they truly were. You just never fit in.
Robert M. Snyder December 6th, 2014 at 20:54
“You just never fit in.”
So true. Guilty as charged. :-)
Kick Frenzy December 6th, 2014 at 23:05
Nah, that can’t be the reason… us meateaters were perfectly fine the day after that kind of night.
Maybe it’s because we were drinking too? ;)
Carla Akins December 6th, 2014 at 20:57
Trust me Mark, you don’t want to know my vices. ;-)
mea_mark December 6th, 2014 at 21:24
I never said I did. I am smarter than that. I just think the cost associated with vices needs to be discussed.
neworleans878 December 6th, 2014 at 22:09
I do! Just kidding, Carla.
Carla Akins December 7th, 2014 at 05:13
When I was young, I was considered brazen and risque. An in-your-face risk taker. These days I struggle not to sound like my Republican born-again mother. After making that claim, I realized I was having a hard time even inventing a vice.
neworleans878 December 7th, 2014 at 10:03
Ya know, We’re nothing to the next generation. And that’s what it should be.
Carla Akins December 7th, 2014 at 11:31
Let’s hope so, I shudder every time I hear my mother’s voice come out of my mouth. ;-)
rg9rts December 7th, 2014 at 06:06
Can I watch??
Robert M. Snyder December 6th, 2014 at 20:31
Skydivers, bungee jumpers, scuba divers, people who ride motorcycles, Alpine skiers, ….
Larry Schmitt December 7th, 2014 at 04:39
Drinkers, people who don’t exercise, single people (die younger). Where do you stop? This will never stand a court challenge. Make them pay more for health insurance, maybe, but you can’t refuse to hire them.
Robert M. Snyder December 7th, 2014 at 08:59
Many hospitals already have similar policies. I think the Cleveland Clinic was first. Some of them actually do blood tests for nicotine. So even if you only smoke on your own time, at home, they will refuse to hire you.
mrsgunka December 6th, 2014 at 20:51
Marijuana? Now that so many states are legalizing it?
Carla Akins December 6th, 2014 at 20:55
No, just nasty cigarettes. I smoked weed in high school, but it just made me hungry and paranoid. I was never able to find the release so many others found in it.
bpollen December 7th, 2014 at 03:48
Had a friend that broke out in hives even being in the room where weed was smoked… She had other very fine qualities, tho.
Carla Akins December 7th, 2014 at 04:53
LOL, I’m sure you miss her. ;-)
bpollen December 12th, 2014 at 14:52
Not sure, since I can’t even remember her name… but then, I have a memory like a colander.
Kick Frenzy December 6th, 2014 at 23:03
Marijuana has way more health benefits than effects that are bad for you.
So, no… but they might get you with the snack food taxes. ;)
rg9rts December 7th, 2014 at 06:06
Edibles….
rg9rts December 7th, 2014 at 06:06
I don’t care about that one either.. LOL
Carla Akins December 6th, 2014 at 20:49
Hey, I’m one of those dirty smokers and they can bite me. It’s a legal product. I do however see how they could charge more for health insurance although it’s a slippery slope – what’s next, meat eaters.
mea_mark December 6th, 2014 at 21:31
Yes, meat eaters should pay more for health insurance. No one wants to pay for my vices, I don’t want to pay for yours. Now if your willing to pay for mine, well, then we need to negotiate.
Robert M. Snyder December 6th, 2014 at 21:41
If anyone should pay more, it’s vegans. We had a few of those at the liberal arts college I attended in the early 80’s, and they were the some of the most lethargic, sullen, and humorless people I have ever met. But I guess that’s redundant, since I already mentioned that it was a liberal arts college.
mea_mark December 6th, 2014 at 21:49
They just appeared lethargic, sullen and humorless. If you had seen them the night before after eating their brownies and placing little pieces of paper on their tongues you would understand how energetic, cosmic and funny they truly were. You just never fit in.
Robert M. Snyder December 6th, 2014 at 21:54
“You just never fit in.”
So true. Guilty as charged. :-)
Kick Frenzy December 7th, 2014 at 00:05
Nah, that can’t be the reason… us meateaters were perfectly fine the day after that kind of night.
Maybe it’s because we were drinking too? ;)
Carla Akins December 6th, 2014 at 21:57
Trust me Mark, you don’t want to know my vices. ;-)
mea_mark December 6th, 2014 at 22:24
I never said I did. I am smarter than that. I just think the cost associated with vices needs to be discussed.
nola878 December 6th, 2014 at 23:09
I do! Just kidding, Carla.
Carla Akins December 7th, 2014 at 06:13
When I was young, I was considered brazen and risque. An in-your-face risk taker. These days I struggle not to sound like my Republican born-again mother. After making that claim to Mark, I realized I was having a hard time even inventing a vice.
nola878 December 7th, 2014 at 11:03
Ya know, We’re nothing to the next generation. And that’s what it should be.
Carla Akins December 7th, 2014 at 12:31
Let’s hope so, I shudder every time I hear my mother’s voice come out of my mouth. ;-)
rg9rts December 7th, 2014 at 07:06
Can I watch??
Robert M. Snyder December 6th, 2014 at 21:31
Skydivers, bungee jumpers, scuba divers, people who ride motorcycles, Alpine skiers, ….
Larry Schmitt December 7th, 2014 at 05:39
Drinkers, people who don’t exercise, single people (die younger). Where do you stop? This will never stand a court challenge. Make them pay more for health insurance, maybe, but you can’t refuse to hire them.
Robert M. Snyder December 7th, 2014 at 09:59
Many hospitals already have similar policies. I think the Cleveland Clinic was first. Some of them actually do blood tests for nicotine. So even if you only smoke on your own time, at home, they will refuse to hire you.
mrsgunka December 6th, 2014 at 21:51
Marijuana? Now that so many states are legalizing it?
Carla Akins December 6th, 2014 at 21:55
No, just nasty cigarettes. I smoked weed in high school, but it just made me hungry and paranoid. I was never able to find the release so many others found in it.
bpollen December 7th, 2014 at 04:48
Had a friend that broke out in hives even being in the room where weed was smoked… She had other very fine qualities, tho.
Carla Akins December 7th, 2014 at 05:53
LOL, I’m sure you miss her. ;-)
bpollen December 12th, 2014 at 15:52
Not sure, since I can’t even remember her name… but then, I have a memory like a colander.
Kick Frenzy December 7th, 2014 at 00:03
Marijuana has way more health benefits than effects that are bad for you.
So, no… but they might get you with the snack food taxes. ;)
rg9rts December 7th, 2014 at 07:06
Edibles….
rg9rts December 7th, 2014 at 07:06
I don’t care about that one either.. LOL
Spirit of America December 6th, 2014 at 19:54
Ohhhh, this is not good.
Baby steps:
1. just warnings on packs, what’s the big deal?
2. then no tv commercials
3. then places had to have non-smoking sections
4. then no smoking in many places at all
5. now No Hiring if
If this can happen(and they espouse the cost as a factor) then they will be able to to use same argument for over-weight people, or drinking people, or many other ‘non-desirable habits/effects’.
No using of lard in areas, size of cups for soda… one thing follows the other as a rule…
mea_mark December 6th, 2014 at 20:33
And then all of sudden we are all unhappy virtuous Christ-like virgins. Healthy as can be, but unhappy.
searambler December 6th, 2014 at 20:50
Virgins? Retroactively?
mea_mark December 6th, 2014 at 21:27
I was kinda thinking culturally. The big picture. Long term.
searambler December 6th, 2014 at 21:31
Oh. Well that makes much more sense…..
Spirit of America December 7th, 2014 at 04:34
LOL! That was funny.
Spirit of America December 6th, 2014 at 20:54
Ohhhh, this is not good.
Baby steps:
1. just warnings on packs, what’s the big deal?
2. then no tv commercials
3. then places had to have non-smoking sections
4. then no smoking in many places at all
5. now No Hiring if
If this can happen(and they espouse the cost as a factor) then they will be able to to use same argument for over-weight people, or drinking people, or many other ‘non-desirable habits/effects’.
No using of lard in areas, size of cups for soda… one thing follows the other as a rule…
mea_mark December 6th, 2014 at 21:33
And then all of sudden we are all unhappy virtuous Christ-like virgins. Healthy as can be, but unhappy.
searambler December 6th, 2014 at 21:50
Virgins? Retroactively?
mea_mark December 6th, 2014 at 22:27
I was kinda thinking culturally. The big picture. Long term.
searambler December 6th, 2014 at 22:31
Oh. Well that makes much more sense…..
Spirit of America December 7th, 2014 at 05:34
LOL! That was funny.
OldLefty December 6th, 2014 at 20:01
testing.
OldLefty December 6th, 2014 at 21:01
testing.
Jones December 6th, 2014 at 20:14
I smoked from age 16 to 30. It took years of struggle to quit. My quality of life improved after I stopped. Second hand smoke from my father’s habit killed my mother. I don’t see an upside to nicotine addiction.
I’m not sure employment discrimination is the right thing to do though.
mea_mark December 6th, 2014 at 20:53
I just had to eat sunflower seeds for six months. After that no problem, except for the salt burns and sores in my mouth from all the sunflower seeds.
Jones December 6th, 2014 at 21:07
I cut down gradually over a six year period. In the end I was only having a couple of puffs a day.
bpollen December 7th, 2014 at 03:44
My mom died from lung cancer. The last thing she heard and reacted to before lapsing into unconsciousness shortly before dying was when my sister told her I quit. Last thing I could do for Mom was to make sure it was true.
Jones December 6th, 2014 at 21:14
I smoked from age 16 to 30. It took years of struggle to quit. My quality of life improved after I stopped. Second hand smoke from my father’s habit killed my mother. I don’t see an upside to nicotine addiction.
I’m not sure employment discrimination is the right thing to do though.
mea_mark December 6th, 2014 at 21:53
I just had to eat sunflower seeds for six months. After that no problem, except for the salt burns and sores in my mouth from all the sunflower seeds.
Jones December 6th, 2014 at 22:07
I cut down gradually over a six year period. In the end I was only having a couple of puffs a day.
bpollen December 7th, 2014 at 04:44
My mom died from lung cancer. The last thing she heard and reacted to before lapsing into unconsciousness shortly before dying was when my sister told her I quit. Last thing I could do for Mom was to make sure it was true.
searambler December 6th, 2014 at 20:50
I am virulently anti-smoking. But hiring discrimination based on the use of a legal product isn’t right. I do agree with higher insurance premiums, though.
I smoked for 20 years. Quit in 2005. Had my left lung removed due to cancer in 2012. Oncologist said it’s not unusual for smokers to get cancer 5, 10, or 20 years after they quit.
If you smoke, quit. I know it’s hard. Been there, done that. If you don’t wanna do it for yourself, your health, and your wallet – do it for someone who loves you. Trust me, you do not want any part of what I went through, and continue to experience on a daily basis today…………..
Candide Thirtythree December 7th, 2014 at 04:09
That is weird, everyone I know who got lung cancer got it long after they quit. Wonder why that is?
rg9rts December 7th, 2014 at 06:01
The damage,gene wise, was already done…
searambler December 6th, 2014 at 21:50
I am virulently anti-smoking. But hiring discrimination based on the use of a legal product isn’t right. I do agree with higher insurance premiums, though.
I smoked for 20 years. Quit in 2005. Had my left lung removed due to cancer in 2012. Oncologist said it’s not unusual for smokers to get cancer 5, 10, or 20 years after they quit.
If you smoke, quit. I know it’s hard. Been there, done that. If you don’t wanna do it for yourself, your health, and your wallet – do it for someone who loves you. Trust me, you do not want any part of what I went through, and continue to experience on a daily basis today…………..
Candide Thirtythree December 7th, 2014 at 05:09
That is weird, everyone I know who got lung cancer got it long after they quit. Wonder why that is?
rg9rts December 7th, 2014 at 07:01
The damage,gene wise, was already done…
bpollen December 7th, 2014 at 03:39
Let’s see, next we should go after those that drink in their private lives. Or use prescription drugs. Or are overweight. Don’t hire ’em and place a surcharge on the healthcare of those current employees. Next, we have to get rid of Type A personalities, and sociopaths and psychopaths. So there goes upper management.
Maybe if they had used their tobacco settlement funds appropriately, they would actually be helping the problem rather than punishing smokers for engaging in perfectly legal activity.
Larry Schmitt December 7th, 2014 at 04:48
And when “they” finally figure out what the “perfect” employee is, when he develops an imperfection, they can fire him. People aren’t perfect. We all have to deal with it.
bpollen December 7th, 2014 at 04:39
Let’s see, next we should go after those that drink in their private lives. Or use prescription drugs. Or are overweight. Don’t hire ’em and place a surcharge on the healthcare of those current employees. Next, we have to get rid of Type A personalities, and sociopaths and psychopaths. So there goes upper management.
Maybe if they had used their tobacco settlement funds appropriately, they would actually be helping the problem rather than punishing smokers for engaging in perfectly legal activity.
Larry Schmitt December 7th, 2014 at 05:48
And when “they” finally figure out what the “perfect” employee is, when he develops an imperfection, they can fire him. People aren’t perfect. We all have to deal with it.
Candide Thirtythree December 7th, 2014 at 04:07
Well, they have to have someone to discriminate against and they are no longer allowed to discriminate against their favorite targets, women, blacks, Hispanics etc. so smokers will be the new whipping boy for a while.
Candide Thirtythree December 7th, 2014 at 05:07
Well, they have to have someone to discriminate against and they are no longer allowed to discriminate against their favorite targets, women, blacks, Hispanics etc. so smokers will be the new whipping boy for a while.
rg9rts December 7th, 2014 at 06:04
It is a dirty habit…that imposes costs on everyone…The county has the right to impose that sort of restriction for future hires…just like the military won’t take the tattooed marvels…
searambler December 7th, 2014 at 08:50
But it’s legal, and technically doesn’t prevent a person from doing the job they are hired to do. There is no ‘impairment’ factor while on the job, like there is for something like, say, alcohol.
Aargh! I HATE having to defend this. But that’s my opinion.
My solution? Make it illegal. It has no socially redeeming value whatsoever. There is no upside to smoking, no benefit, no positives associated with it. It is a known poison, a toxic blend of chemicals that are detrimental (and downright deadly) to the human body. It has been deliberately manipulated over the decaded to be MORE addictive than it already is. It has been deceptively (and masterfully) marketed over the decades to mask its true nature as an addicting poison, to make it seem ‘cool’ and ‘hip’ and the popular thing to do. Studies have found it to be as addicting as heroin and cocaine. It is, of course, a well known carcinogen.
Tell me again why it is legal and available on every street corner virtually throughout the world…?
arc99 December 7th, 2014 at 09:55
Making tobacco illegal is flat out wrong on so many levels. But for the sake of brevity I will ask just one pertinent question.
When has prohibition ever accomplished anything other than providing a new revenue stream for criminal enterprises?
searambler December 7th, 2014 at 20:21
Why is it “wrong on so many levels”? Please explain. It’s poison. It’s a known, proven, highly addictive poison. There is absolutely no doubt about this. None at all. The science is in. It kills. It causes cancer in a variety of forms. So please, explain all the different levels that exist that make outlawing this product “wrong.”
searambler December 9th, 2014 at 13:07
No response? Figures.
rg9rts December 7th, 2014 at 14:00
And they call out sick more often ..so you pick up their slack there too won’t even mention catastrophic illnesses.. But they STINK no other word for it
searambler December 7th, 2014 at 20:22
I agree, it’s a filthy smelly habit. And it does cause health issues.
rg9rts December 8th, 2014 at 00:54
The only thing worse than a reformed drunk is a reformed smoker..
searambler December 9th, 2014 at 13:06
And the only thing worse than a reformed smoker is a current smoker…..
rg9rts December 9th, 2014 at 13:49
They won’t be around that long..and their stench precedes them so you can escape.
rg9rts December 7th, 2014 at 07:04
It is a dirty habit…that imposes costs on everyone…The county has the right to impose that sort of restriction for future hires…just like the military won’t take the tattooed marvels… perhaps smokers would reconsider if they only knew how BAD they smell , their clothes,bodies, cars, homes…just about anything they come in contact with… I was one and it’s not easy to quit..but it can be done..
searambler December 7th, 2014 at 09:50
But it’s legal, and technically doesn’t prevent a person from doing the job they are hired to do. There is no ‘impairment’ factor while on the job, like there is for something like, say, alcohol.
Aargh! I HATE having to defend this. But that’s my opinion.
My solution? Make it illegal. It has no socially redeeming value whatsoever. There is no upside to smoking, no benefit, no positives associated with it. It is a known poison, a toxic blend of chemicals that are detrimental (and downright deadly) to the human body. It has been deliberately manipulated over the decaded to be MORE addictive than it already is. It has been deceptively (and masterfully) marketed over the decades to mask its true nature as an addicting poison, to make it seem ‘cool’ and ‘hip’ and the popular thing to do. Studies have found it to be as addicting as heroin and cocaine. It is, of course, a well known carcinogen. It is expensive, causes tons and tons of pollution, and costs billions every year in health care-related costs.
Tell me again why it is legal and available on every street corner virtually throughout the world…?
arc99 December 7th, 2014 at 10:55
Making tobacco illegal is flat out wrong on so many levels. But for the sake of brevity I will ask just one pertinent question.
When has prohibition ever accomplished anything other than providing a new revenue stream for criminal enterprises?
searambler December 7th, 2014 at 21:21
Why is it “wrong on so many levels”? Please explain. It’s poison. It’s a known, proven, highly addictive poison. There is absolutely no doubt about this. None at all. The science is in. It kills. It causes cancer in a variety of forms. So please, explain all the different levels that exist that make outlawing this product “wrong.”
searambler December 9th, 2014 at 14:07
No response? Figures.
rg9rts December 7th, 2014 at 15:00
And they call out sick more often ..so you pick up their slack there too won’t even mention catastrophic illnesses.. But they STINK no other word for it
searambler December 7th, 2014 at 21:22
I agree, it’s a filthy smelly habit. And it does cause health issues.
rg9rts December 8th, 2014 at 01:54
The only thing worse than a reformed drunk is a reformed smoker..
searambler December 9th, 2014 at 14:06
And the only thing worse than a reformed smoker is a current smoker…..
rg9rts December 9th, 2014 at 14:49
They won’t be around that long..and their stench precedes them so you can escape.
searambler December 7th, 2014 at 08:57
Read the other day that smoking among adults is at an all time low, under 18% for the first time in fifty years of tracking.
At least we’re trending in the right direction.
http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/us-adult-smoking-rate-drops-to-lowest-level-on-record-141204?news=855003
searambler December 7th, 2014 at 09:57
Read the other day that smoking among adults is at an all time low, under 18% for the first time in fifty years of tracking.
At least we’re trending in the right direction.
http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/us-adult-smoking-rate-drops-to-lowest-level-on-record-141204?news=855003