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The Anti-Smoking Crazies Go Overboard

In at least one county in Florida, government workers not only suffer from Florida-itis, but their misery will now be compounded by nicotine deprivation:

Smokers looking for work need not apply with the Sarasota County government. On Monday, a tobacco-free hiring policy went into affect for all new job applicants. The policy requires anyone applying for a job with the county to acknowledge that they have not smoked in the last 12 months. All applicants will also be screened for tobacco use during a new-hire physical exam.

If the screening indicates the applicant has the presence of nicotine above a specified amount, the applicant will not be considered for a job. Sarasota County adopted this new policy after years of research revealed the negative effects of nicotine in the workplace. According to the 1997-2001 study, cigarette smoking was responsible for billions in health-related economic losses and a drain on productivity.

You know what else causes “billions in health-related economic losses and a drain on productivity?” Fat people. Why doesn’t Sarasota County prohibit employees from eating fast food, then?

Posted by Dustin on May 20, 2008 | Comments (5)