[Dan from Michigan]

I think the policy sucks(and I almost never smoke cigarettes), but it is a private company and they have right to dictate their own so I defend it on that basis.

If it's big government, then it's another story.

[Fierce Allegiance]

This will not last long. Those smokers will become rich. It's a legal product, used legally.

[mlbford2]

I agree with all your points.

[Dan from Michigan]

Ping

[SAJ]

Actually, whether public or private, no company has any legitimate power to control the lawful activities of any employee off-site and off company time.

This chap's asking for a lawsuit larger than he can afford. If MI's laws resemble MO's, this CEO has a MAJOR problem on his hands...or will shortly.

[Tall_Texan]

Weyco founder Howard Weyers said previously that he instituted the tough anti-smoking rule to shield his company from high health care costs. "I don't want to pay for the results of smoking," he said.

I guess he would know.

Still, I can't support firing people for something they do away from the job.

[Bikers4Bush]

So should they be allowed to test for alcohol too? What if sex is shown to cause heart attacks can they command their employees to stop doing that too?

I can only HOPE that these folks take this company to the cleaners.

And let me clarify that I do not smoke.

[Tarpaulin]

Should the company also be allowed to bar people from having sex because maternity leave is so expensive to the bottom line?

[Bahbah]

Will they fire all of the fat employees?

[Pest]

I wonder if they drug test.

[WHBates]

I don't think I would want to want to work for such a company. But I agree that they can do whatever they want to do.

[withteeth]

They're within their rights but it's still outrageous. Workers should have their free time and their privacy.

[FreePaul]

I don't blame them for trying to reduce health care costs. I wonder if they ban other practices that cause increased health care costs. Maybe something like risky sexual behavior?

[JimVT]

but it is a private company and they have right to dictate their own

That is a myth that is being challenged regularly.

I smoked for years and quit of my own volition.

If this company wants to avoid medical costs for employees who smoke they should write a policy that excludes coverage for emphysema, et al.

But what are they going to do when one of their employees who quit smoking because of their scare tactics, then retires THEN becomes ill with a smoke related disease?

Better get some Clinton mouthpieces on retainer!

[Wolfie]

Now that's funny.

[libbylu]

many questions, do covered dependents have to be screened for smoking? how long do you have to be quit for it to be out of the system? is it like say pot, that household products will make urine and mouth swab tests negative? and what if i smoked four packs a day for thirty years, quit and went to work for them?
and don't fat people have more illnesses and lost days at work?
are health insurance rates significantly lower for nonsmokers?

[L98Fiero]

Wait untill the CEO determines his employees eating of junk food is costing him money in healthcare costs.

[GrandEagle]

"That is absolutely a victory," Climes said.
Yes but for who?
This goes WAY too far!

[Sender]

They do as a private company have the right to decide who works for them and who doesn't. They can show statistically that smokers will have more health care costs and risk missing work and lowering productivity.

OTOH, what about people who ride motorcycles? Or water skiiers? Or climbers, bicyclists? Hunters? All could be considered as taking some measure of risk that could become a liability for the company.

Do we really want companies specifying Stepford employees?

BTW, I lost my job after 15 years on Friday, due to be replaced by two people at lower cost. Or by Indian call centers. Who knows.

[thoughtomator]

The health care costs of homosexuality make smokers look cheap. One AIDS patient can equal hundreds of smokers' worth of health care costs. Shouldn't a company also be able to fire on that basis?

[Sloth]

I think the policy sucks(and I almost never smoke cigarettes), but it is a private company and they have right to dictate their own so I defend it on that basis.

You have exactly the correct take on this.