Maricopa County Testing Workers for Nicotine

Fox News - AP ^ | March 15, 2011 | Staff

[yorkie]

Some Maricopa County workers are burned up about a new health-plan requiring them to submit saliva for nicotine analysis.

[alarm rider]

Next? Why Operation Yellow Flow to see if youskis had a couple of brewskis.

[muir_redwoods]

I get a discount on my employer provided health insurance if I attest that I am a non-smoker. I dont have to answer the question but I don’t get the discount unless I claim to be tobacco free. I don’t see a provision for testing my claim but I can imagine a plan that would include such a provision.

[swarthyguy]

The Massachusetts Hospital Association announced nicotine testing for all employees.

Even those indulging at home after work will not be allowed to do so.

When asked about his new ordnance, the head of the Massachusetts Commission against Discrimation replied, “Smokers are not a protected class”.

Welcome to the Landofhtefre......never mind.

Land of the Classes, Protected.

[truthguy]

I expect to see more of this. With the health insurance being covered by government, they will try and reduce costs by seeing to it that people change their habits. Yes, people should change bad health habits, BUT that's not government's job. It's the individuals' job.

If everyone could have their own health savings/high deductible plan, then they could tailor the plan to their needs. But we have so many state mandates, that they increase the cost of insurance.

My health plan covers alcoholism and drug addiction. They are forced to because the state makes them do this. Since I don't use any non-prescription drugs or drink, the likelihood of me needing these services is approaching zero. But I cannot opt out of these features and get a cut rate. If we opened up the market to competition, people would pay different rates according to their health risk. It would work like auto insurance. So there would be a bigger premium for those who smoke, drink, or use illegal drugs. The smoker would be free to smoke but they must pay for their health insurance with a higher premium. Free markets work. People would see an immediate financial reward in taking better care of their health and their lifestyle choices. That's what I'd like to see.

[animal172]

If it ever comes to that, I am in deep kimchi.

[momtothree]

I know two ex-smokers who chew the nicotine gum. Although you are suppose to wean yourself off the gum, their doctors recommended that they chew a piece here or there (they are very high stress type of people). One has been cigarette free for four years and the other ten years. They will still chew a piece anywhere from once a week to once a month. My point is nicotine can be in your system other ways than direct smoking.

[eXe]

Once again, kiss more freedoms goodbye. Let them try that with me.. how long does nicotine take to get out of the body? Sure I can wait that long for a smoke.

Its time to lie and make these police state tactics into the jokes that they are.

[oldmomster]

when we had individual health insurance more than 10 years ago, a blood test was required - and if you said you were a non-smoker, they checked. Premiums were higher for smokers. I do believe that people who were obese (medically) were charged a higher premium also.

[yorkie]

You are SO right, eXe. More freedoms are taken from us every day........and I don’t see it getting any better in the future of our country.

[swarthyguy]

THe Sheriff probably indulges in a cigar now and then.