[the invisib1e hand]

To see just how far government abuse can go, one need look no further than Florida. The west coast, especially, where "finesse" is simply not bothered with.

To hear just how arrogant and myopic a government functionary can be, simply listen to one in Florida.

[Pinkbell]

How would they know if you smoke? If you smoked at home, there doesn’t seem to be a way they would know unless they spied on you. I can see not allowing smoking inside the buildings, but not hiring someone just because they smoke on their own time is wrong. It’s the government trying to control how you run your life.

[doodad]

Rates won't go down and already they are eyeing the vending machine.

Marckinko. Nice Southern name. I wonder if he moved from say....Connecticut or Jersey?

[Arm_Bears]

I recall that, years ago, a (now suppressed) report from DHEW detailed the increased risk of an incredible range of diseases to which homosexual males were susceptible due to their “lifestyle.”

I can only imagine the screams of outrage if the same logic that is currently being applied against smokers (i.e., increased healthcare costs) was applied to the homosexual cohort.

[WayneS]

This is satire, right?

[ProfoundMan]

It’s going to be a sad future for my grand kids children - a bunch of skinny people on bikes who eat flavored cardboard and whose only joy is that they can bugger anyone or anything they choose.

Upside is that they will have developed advanced ESP since it’ll be so hard to speak to each other with the CO2 collectors strapped to their faces(and butts)all day.

Fascists...

[Daveinyork]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-pipe-no-smoking-convention_0may03,0,5145620.story Here’s where it get’s totally ridiculous.

[TLI]

“It's been well receive, I think most people understand the detrimental effects that cigarette smoking that tobacco use has on health” says Marckinko.

If it is so "well received" why am I reading a news article about this? If it is in the newspaper obviously there are differing opinions about how to "receive" it.

[Realism]

County officials admit that insurance rates probably won't go down, but the no-smoking ban will help keep them at their current rates for a longer period.

Self righteous AND ignorant. Likely their next major decision will be the type and proper spacing of the vegetation around the county municipal building.

[freekitty]

Your freedom going, going gone.

http://transsylvaniaphoenix.blogspot.com/2008/05/british-called-they-want-their-guns.html

[glide625]

Fine as long as they discriminate against those who routinely over eat and show it!

[Caramelgal]

So what’s next?

Should my employer have the right to know and monitor what I eat 24-7? Can I get fired for what I’m eating if I like a greasy cheese burger now and then or like to indulge in some Ben and Jerry’s’ after a hard day? Should I have to step on a scale before starting work every morning so my employer can determine if my BMI is too high? What about my blood pressure? Should I have to submit to a BP screening every morning before I start work? What if I’m a vegan and I’m not getting enough protein and that makes me tired by the end of the day and less alert than the meat eaters? What about how often I go to the gym? How often do I drink adult beverages? How much sleep do I get every night? Do I participate in any otherwise health sports on my free time like skiing or golf that might result in serious injury? What about my sex life? Does my employer have the right to interview my husband or boyfriend and grill him on his past sexual history or mine and if we practice “safe sex”? And what if I am a member of a church that my employer considers non-mainstream? Could my employer consider this some sort of mental derangement? What if my employer is personally religious and I don’t go to any church? Should my employer have the right to fire me because I don’t practice any religious faith?

IMHO - As long as I’m able to perform my job up to my employer’s performance standards, I show up to work on time every day and I am able to perform my job and I’m not doing anything illegal like taking illegal drugs that impairs my judgment while on the job (and smoking cigarettes is not illegal – not yet), I don’t think it’s anybody’s business what I do on my free time.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

And another government moves closer to fascism.

[libertarian27]

Discriminating Ping

[Gabz]

Nanny State Ping.

This is not the Sarasota County of my fondest memories. Back in the 70s and 80s when I spent much time in Sarasota a large percentage of my friends worked for the County and all but one of them were smokers. At this point all have more than the needed 20 years service for rretirement.

I trust that Sarasota County will be giving up all tax revenues from the sales of tobacco in the county considering they are refusing to hire the very peopl that pay those taxes it only makes sense...........oh wait, this is a government entity and is not required to make sense.

[calex59]

The move is legal but it's not being accepted well by the smokers in Sarasota County that Tampa Bay's 10 spoke to

I beg to differ, this is not legal, IMO. I am pretty sure it violates at least one amendment of the constitution, and maybe others. It is discrimination of the highest order and if they get away with it leaves the door open of forcing you to give up drinking, driving your car, eating hamburgers or anything they think is PC at the time.

People stand by and let things like this happen because, "Oh, well they are smokers", and the gov can do anything it wants, violate any rights as long as it is against smokers and involves the "war on drugs" and is "for the children".

Soon it will be others turns and then listen to the screams. Stand up to this crap now or pay a heavy price later.

[CSM]

I hope that they also forego any revenues related to tobacco.

[Alice in Wonderland]

Same here in Marion County:

Effective January 1, 2008: It shall be the policy of Marion County Board of County Commissioners that all applicants for employment must sign an Affidavit for Non-Use of Tobacco Products in order for their application to be considered. The non-use must have been for a period of at least one (1) year immediately preceding application for employment; and must be maintained for the duration of employment with Marion County, if hired. The Affidavit must be submitted at the time of application.

[Niteranger68]

Smokers should demand tax vouchers.

[Joe Brower]

Florida Freeper