If I owned a company and had to hire employees, I would absolutely refuse to hire smokers. Period.

In 1989 I started my job fresh out of college at a maximum security federal pen.
One of the jammy jobs was to be posted at the main tower.
From there, you controlled the inner and outer gates for any staff and visitors coming and going.

The entire front of the building which was clearly visible to me from my vantage point, was all admin staff.
The Warden, 4 Deputy Warden's, their countless secretaries, clerks, counsellors, and a plethora of bloated salaries and freeloaders who none of us knew what they did (if anything)

Since smoking was not permitted in their cushy offices, all those deadbeats had to come out the front door of the admin bldg to have their cigarettes.

I kid you not, every 15-20 minutes, I saw the same useless group come out with coffee cup in one hand, smoke in the other, and they did this until 3pm. (actually more like 2:45 PM, because by then they were already sneaking out to go home)

2 to 3x per hour, all these overpaid fkers came out for a coffee and a smoke, and then back inside to hide for another 15 minutes.

The entire workday consisted of meetings and smoke breaks.
Now I'm not saying that I wouldn't have done the same thing if that were me, but what I am saying is that if you're an employer, and you want to get the most value for your money, don't hire smokers.

Their sick more often (Statistically) Yes, I saw the yearly stats from the AAP (Attendance Awareness Program), they waste more time at work going for breaks, and this leads to being not as productive as a non smoker.

Maybe it's not fair, but that's the way it really is.

 

What bothers me are the smokers who hang outside doors, smokers who throw their butts out the car window, smokers who get that 15 minute break every few hours. Imagine what people would say if a non smoker followed the smokers out and "took a break". People smoking in front of me as I walk down the street into a cloud of 4000 chemicals. Not all smokers do these things, but the majority do at least 1 if not 2 of these things that affect other people.

I see how one could assume that the government should not have a say, but they do regulate "health and safety". Do it where no one else can be affected and it is fine. I wish I could take my dog into restaurants, but for the health and safety of others I am not allowed. The government says so. So get off this idea that the governement should have no say in a private business but they do in so many ways already. Again for the "health and safety" of the public.

I was just kidding about the dog thing. I do not own a dog, but it is an example of how the government HAS to regulate businesses and pass laws that keep the majority of the public safe.

 

I'm going to make a generalization here. My opinion....

Smokers are lazy....generally. LOL

 

I'll remember these anti-smoking comments the next time I'm asked to sign a petition for something that doesn't really affect me.

Like an RV park, banning lifted vehicles etc.

I mean really, if it isn't something I do personally, why should I care.

Oh yeah, restriciting alcohol sales, that's going to be one coming up soon in Iowa.

I'll vote for prohibition since I don't drink and consider all drinkers lazy and irresponsible.

Ask not for whom the bell tolls ...

 

No smoking in Lexington. I was a smoker who quit due to this ban. Well, partialy at least. Health insurance was the other reason. i must say that it is very nice going out to bars and not having to dryclean my clothes now. Still have the occasional cigar though.

 

We just had a sin tax that barely gort vetoed. It was less than one full percent of votes. It was only on ciggerettes, the supporters were of course non smokers. When I pointed out that it was a "Sin" tax, that Alcohol would later be added as a sin. They changed thier tune... ohh no we cant tax my beer. I said well if this gets passed when it comes up to be added to the ciggerrettes as a sin to be taxed, I dont drink so I'll support adding it as a sin too..... (Not that they would vote on that, if it ever gets passes then they can amend it to add whatever they want, when ever they want.)

Funny how they changed thier mind!!!!