smoking surcharge
By dlr297
@dlr297 (5409)
United States
May 1, 2009 6:47am CST
I just herd that their are a few states that are going to start charging employees a fee if they smoke.
What right do they have to tell some one that they can not smoke in their own homes, or on their own time.
What is it going to be next....You are going to have to pay if you have a drink....What about if you are over weight...These are all health problems...When is it going to stop.. First the Government trying to dictate to us what we can do..Now it is the Company's that we work for.
3 people like this
10 responses
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
1 May 09
Are you sure you heard right? I know in KY the state government's health insurance has been split in two groups for premium rate purposes, smokers and non-smokers. The smokers have to pay more. Now KY does have a lot of smoking related cancer cases.
Could it be that what you heard related to health insurance?
Or is it that they start charging them for the smoking breaks they take? I heard there is a move for that in general, even by private businesses. I know quite a few people who take a smoke break hourly for at least five to ten minutes, that's on top of their regular lunch break and such. Obviously, there is some productivity loss associated with that. I can't blame the businesses or even the government wanting to recoup some money. In essence these people work up to an hour or more less than they should in the average work day. All on paid time.
2 people like this
@dlr297 (5409)
• United States
2 May 09
It was on fox news this morning and it was for the state of Tennessee, and it was to do with people working in government offices, They said that if workers tested positive for smoking they were going to be charged a $50.00 a month Smoking Surcharge. Even if they are not smoking on the job. I don't know if it had to do with their insurance or not, i am waiting to here more.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
1 May 09
I believe it's a surcharge for company provided health insurance coverage. Anyone who has their own life insurance policies (like my husband and I do) know that there are already different rates for smokers vs. non-smokers.
1 person likes this
@costas1234 (195)
•
2 May 09
Good point, though I think this was introduced to stop or reduce on paid breaks and a measure to increase productivity.
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
1 May 09
Can you provide a link to the story? I'd like to read about it. I agree it's ridiculous for the government to try and charge people for smoking in their own homes.
"What about if you are over weight"
Believe it or not, there are people who want to tax extra for that too. The environmental morons are saying that heavier people have a larger carbon footprint because they consume more food, and drive more. I swear I'm not kidding.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/UKNews1/idUKL1572011320080515
1 person likes this
@dlr297 (5409)
• United States
2 May 09
I do not have a link to the story it was on fox news this morning....It is for the state of Tennessee, and it has something to do with people that work in government offices, and they are going to start charging them a surcharge if they smoke, and it is not right people should not have to pay more if they smoke if it is in their own home. and not on working hours.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
12 Aug 09
of course. theres whole states that have laws you cant even smoke in public. like California. they are doing everything they can to charge smokers and the ones that have quit i think carry a grudge. they are the worst, like our president.
@sweetashoney (3594)
• United States
1 May 09
that's crazy, after while we're going to be charged when we have to go to the bath room. I did hear on the news one time that they wanted to increase insurance premiums for over weight people like they do for smokes because of the health risks. I don't know if they passed that or not. Give it time they'll try to come up with something else.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
2 May 09
As an ex smoker I know that people who smoke are doing harm to themselves and those who surround them. They are going to end up to be a heavy deficit for the government who has to fork out more money to "cure" these people. Smoking is harmful for us and I bet that few of us dare to challenge that. As an ex student nurse I used to work in medical wards and saw a lot of patients with lung cancer and other smoking related diseases.
@costas1234 (195)
•
2 May 09
Great post, that is simply crazy. Not a good way to motivate employees that do smoke. Though in fairness non smokers arguably are more productive in the workplace. Though it is a silly rule that some employers have.
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
1 May 09
I was surprised to hear this type of law being dictate to protect its citizen. So far, my country don't have such a strict law yet. But, one thing for sure, if this type of law being implemented, i am sure every citizen will feel the pressure. And if every company also implemented this type of strict rules, i am sure the employees will feel the pressure and some might even lose interest to perform well in their work. But, i know it's to build a healthy nation...
