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State employees (Tennessee) facing $600 surcharge for smoking starting next year
AP via WREG ^ | 4.28.09

Posted on 04/28/2009 3:31:45 PM PDT by trumandogz

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — State employees are facing a $600 surcharge that goes into effect next year for everyone in the employee health system who smokes or has a smoker for a spouse.

The Tennessean reports state officials hope the surcharge will provide an incentive for employees who smoke.

Officials estimate that would save Tennessee an estimated $3,400 a year in lost productivity and smoking-related health claims per worker.

(Excerpt) Read more at wreg.com ...


TOPICS: Government; US: Tennessee
KEYWORDS: pufflist; tobaccophobics
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I thought Tennessee was controlled by Republicans.
1 posted on 04/28/2009 3:31:45 PM PDT by trumandogz
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To: trumandogz

I wonder if they will also begin imposing surcharges for those that eat ‘fast food’ daily, run stop signs, jump off cliffs, and have multiple sexual partners.


2 posted on 04/28/2009 3:33:58 PM PDT by KoRn (Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")
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To: trumandogz

I hate state employees. They get everything for FREE on MY dime. Make THEM pay for THEIR bad habit, not me.


3 posted on 04/28/2009 3:38:20 PM PDT by chapin2500
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To: trumandogz

There’s gonna be a whole lot of lyin’ goin’ on!


4 posted on 04/28/2009 3:42:34 PM PDT by xroadie
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To: chapin2500
I hate state employees. They get everything for FREE on MY dime. Make THEM pay for THEIR bad habit, not me.

Smoking isn't a "bad habit"....it's a drug addiction. Those who smoke are, by & large, drug addicts. I know, 'cuz I used to be one.

5 posted on 04/28/2009 3:43:09 PM PDT by ChrisInAR (The Tenth Amendment is still the Supreme Law of the Land, folks -- start enforcing it for a CHANGE!)
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To: trumandogz
Smoking....like being overweight...or like skydiving...are known to shorten life and increase health expenses.I have no problem with life insurance companies or health insurance companies charging higher premiums to such people.

I,however,am anxiously awaiting the day when welfare recipients have their benefits reduced if they smoke or are fat.I won't hold my breath,however.

6 posted on 04/28/2009 3:43:27 PM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Christian+Veteran=Terrorist)
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To: trumandogz

Smoking is one of the few issues that crosses party lines. Tobaccophobics come with D or R all over the place. It simply has to do with power and control.


7 posted on 04/28/2009 3:46:42 PM PDT by RandallFlagg (Satisfaction was my sin)
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To: Gay State Conservative

ALCOHOL!!!!
KILLS!!!


8 posted on 04/28/2009 3:47:20 PM PDT by GRRRRR (He'll NEVER be my President! (FUBO!))
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To: trumandogz

A user tax is a fairer tax. Why should others pay for their vice?


9 posted on 04/28/2009 3:48:43 PM PDT by Drango (A liberal's compassion is limited only by the size of someone else's wallet.)
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To: trumandogz
What does the smoking indistry contribut to society?

No, not a trick question .... but there is a heavy and sincere effort to crush tobacco.

I've heard many a kid went to college on summer tobacco field wages.

10 posted on 04/28/2009 3:49:10 PM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true.)
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To: trumandogz
State employees are facing a $600 surcharge that goes into effect next year for everyone in the employee health system who skydives or has a skydiver for a spouse.


State employees are facing a $600 surcharge that goes into effect next year for everyone in the employee health system who drives a motorcycle or has a motorcycle rider for a spouse.


State employees are facing a $600 surcharge that goes into effect next year for everyone in the employee health system who eats potato chips or has a potato chip-eater for a spouse.

11 posted on 04/28/2009 3:50:58 PM PDT by red-dawg (The Obama Administration : A Man-Caused Disaster.)
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To: trumandogz

When will they start charging queers extra because of their dangerous life style?


12 posted on 04/28/2009 3:53:38 PM PDT by Graybeard58 (Selah)
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To: Drango

Why should smokers pay toward more toward their state’s debt via taxes. This is a good move. It will level the playing field just like all the liberals are screaming for.


13 posted on 04/28/2009 3:56:15 PM PDT by Snoopers-868th
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To: trumandogz
Whatever makes them feel useful, even if totally ignorant.

A cursory review of claims will find "beached whales," people engaging in risky sports hobbies and members of the gay lifestyle have a dramatically higher rates of time loss and health claims.

Just saying...

14 posted on 04/28/2009 4:03:46 PM PDT by Publius6961 (Change is not a plan; Hope is not a strategy.)
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To: Drango

Uhhh, wouldn’t the tobacco tax be a “user fee”?


15 posted on 04/28/2009 4:10:00 PM PDT by RGF
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To: chapin2500

So what risky behaviors do you have that we should tax? Have you ever exceeded the speed limit? Ever come into contact with a carcinogen? Ever ridden a motorcycle? Ever driven an SUV? Ever flown in an airplane? Hmmm...what else...lets see...ever had unprotected sex? Ever stayed up late past a healthy bedtime? Ever exceeded 2,000 calories in one day?

Dude...seriously...you need to rethink what you are saying here because it certainly doesn’t reflect a cogent understanding of personal liberty.


16 posted on 04/28/2009 4:10:50 PM PDT by The Unknown Republican
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To: chapin2500

Ja, Rauchen Verboten!

(Der Fueher does not want us to smoke)


17 posted on 04/28/2009 4:13:25 PM PDT by Freedom4US
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To: trumandogz
To help smokers quit before the Jan. 1, 2010, deadline, the state will offer discounts on prescriptions and over-the-counter products like nicotine gum and patches starting May 1.

Employees will be also allowed to take part in six-week smoking cessation seminars on state time. The state held its first stop-smoking seminar Monday.

Who's gonna pay for SCHIP when all the smokers are browbeaten into quitting?

18 posted on 04/28/2009 4:14:10 PM PDT by Drew68
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To: The Unknown Republican

I wonder what the story would be if they were going to charge openly gay and lesbians 600$ or more for their “lifestyle” choice, much like smoking is? The gay/lesbian “community” would be on every station and newspaper in the country denouncing this hideous, evil action to surpress them.

These nannies sicken me and our fine Free Country.


19 posted on 04/28/2009 4:18:13 PM PDT by Horusra (The Democrat party is now the National Socialist party (nationalize the banks, socialize healthcare))
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To: ChrisInAR

My cigars and pipes are not an addiction, I, just, enjoy them. But, I get lumped into the smokers. After all, now that smokers are supporting SCHIP, it is patriotic to smoke. What will be next, guns, meat, dogs, cats?


20 posted on 04/28/2009 4:24:38 PM PDT by depressed in 06 (The next Constitution is going to have to restrict the vote to those who actually pay taxes.)
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