Tobacco Free in 2017 - WTF

[jledou]

Received this note today at work - mind you alcohol is still acceptable at corporate functions. Still rubs me the wrong way and just confirms that idiots are running the show.

Today we are announcing a significant step in advancing our core value of Safety and Health. By April 1, 2017, we intend all Company locations globally will be tobacco free. This means that -- in addition to smoking being prohibited in Company buildings – tobacco use will be prohibited on all Company property, including outdoors.

We are taking this action because we are committed to the health and well-being for all our employees. Tobacco use is widely recognized as one of the most significant causes of preventable illness. Both the public and private sectors deploy tobacco control as a major strategy to improve health and wellness all over the world, with important results.

[CRIMPS]

Not sure where you work or your industry, but if I was running a company, I wouldn't want people smoking on campus, either, especially if the industry was customer facing (Retail, food, etc.).

[T.G]

Could be worse, there are many companies now that ban employees from using tobacco period. Or charge tobacco users a huge insurance premium increase.

[14holestogie]

I'm kind of surprised this hasn't happened sooner, although it's going to be the norm sooner than later.

Being in the forging industry, I have a hard time justifying our employer's willingness to let us breathe in whatever airborne smoke or particulates that are generated during the forging and ht processes and drawing the line at someone smoking in a large high ceiling area with doors, roof vents, and fans running constantly three seasons of the year.

[RJrocker]

Originally Posted by T.G

Could be worse, there are many companies now that ban employees from using tobacco period. Or charge tobacco users a huge insurance premium increase.

That is nuts! glad my company doesn't really care.

I wonder this the OP's company is allowing vape sticks?

[CigarNut]

Originally Posted by T.G

Could be worse, there are many companies now that ban employees from using tobacco period. Or charge tobacco users a huge insurance premium increase.

My employer is one of those that charges "tobacco users" (> 6 cigar/year) a monthly penalty fee as part of our employee medical insurance.

[AdamJoshua]

Many hospitals have already banned all smoking on property. I wonder if coal fired plants will be banning their employees from smoking. Hmm deep thoughts.

[shilala]

Ads, I caught hell for chewing snuff while I was just in the hospital. The doctor said it was a tobacco-free campus.
So I just kept chewing snuff. Seems to have worked out just fine.

[jledou]

Originally Posted by T.G

Could be worse, there are many companies now that ban employees from using tobacco period. Or charge tobacco users a huge insurance premium increase.

Just waiting for that one to come down the pipeline also.

Originally Posted by RJrocker

That is nuts! glad my company doesn't really care.

I wonder this the OP's company is allowing vape sticks?

Vaping is on the list of prohibited items also.


Ironically we are in a leased building and not on company property so this will not directly be an issue for me. I do foresee the insurance becoming an issue shortly though.

[jledou]

Spoke too soon, now there is a $50/month surcharge for using tobacco for next years insurance premium.

[MarkinAZ]

A company I used to work for in South Carolina instituted a no smoking policy in, on, or around the property. That is, no smoking area's were removed, and you could not smoke near your vehicle, or for that matter, inside your vehicle while parked on the company property. Not a biggy. You simply wait until you vacate the area.

In 2013, they placed in to effect a $40 surcharge if you used tobacco. There was also a proviso that if you did use tobacco products, did not check off the box that you did use tobacco products and, did not pay the surcharge and was "exposed" of the usage of tobacco products, you would be "sacked" from employment with the company.

All in the name of Corporate involvement in one's private affairs

[jjirons69]

Originally Posted by MarkinCA

In 2013, they placed in to effect a $40 surcharge if you used tobacco. There was also a proviso that if you did use tobacco products, did not check off the box that you did use tobacco products and, did not pay the surcharge and was "exposed" of the usage of tobacco products, you would be "sacked" from employment with the company.

All in the name of Corporate involvement in one's private affairs

Except it's now $50 per biweekly.

[dijit]

The company I work for instituted similar surcharge and upon finding it was not legal to fine or may one pay a tobacco surcharge in Indiana promptly changed the insurance coverage so anyone that uses tobacco products or works in an environment that has tobacco product exposure to the employee must pay currently an extra $106 per month for health insurance. If you falsify the document and are caught then it is grounds for termination.

[Hippi3Slay3r]

My company banned smoking on the property as well so I picked up vaping. It's something I didn't ever expect to do but it helps, it's even helped me cut back on my cigars and pipe. Not trying to quit my baccy just looking to cut back a little.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by RJrocker

That is nuts! glad my company doesn't really care.

I wonder this the OP's company is allowing vape sticks?

Eventually they might. It's not about caring for the employees or wanting to meddle in their personal affairs, it's about profits. It's reasonably well established that tobacco users have higher healthcare costs, and someone has to pay them. Banning tobacco use or hitting users with a surcharge is a way of lessening that financial impact.

[shilala]

I just made a batch of tobacco-free snuff last night cause I have to quit nicotine for a solid year, post-surgery.
When my time is up, I plan to bathe in tobacco. As it should be.