Florida County Bans Smokers from New Jobs, pledge in a signed affidavit to stay tobacco free

[The Straight Story]

Florida County Bans Smokers from New Jobs

Smokers need not apply in one Florida county, which will soon require prospective job applicants to pass a nicotine test before starting work.

The Board of County Commissioners in Flagler County, in northeast Florida, voted last month to require potential county employees to undergo testing for nicotine use and to pledge in a signed affidavit that they will remain tobacco-free throughout their employment.

But the requirements have raised flags for a civil liberties group that said it is unconstitutional for the government to administer blanket tests for nicotine or drugs on any group of people.

The board chairman, Nate McLaughlin, told ABC News that rising health insurance costs and Flagler County’s generally health-conscious outlook prompted the change. The county offers its employees weight-loss and smoking-cessation programs, and has a nutritionist and exercise physiologist available for staff.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/09/florida-county-bans-smokers-from-new-jobs/

Will give the NSA new things to spy on - buy some smokes, even for someone else, bam! Now if we can get them to add alcohol to the list....

[Politicalboi]

1. So can I start collecting SSI

For being nicotine addicted? This has gone too fucking far. I can see not smoking AT work, and that includes Marijuana on their property, they have no right to tell me how to live off their property and off the clock. Otherwise, we need to get paid those hours too. It's bad enough us pot smokers are kind of on a continuous clock that could get us fired if he light up on Friday night, and come Monday get fired for testing positive. But get drunk on the weekend, well, that's your business.

[warrant46]

2. No, Welcome to Amerika

The Land of Purity and Freedom

[zbdent]

3. Isn't Florida a "Right to Work" (cough cough - right to fire you without cause) state?

[BlueJazz]

4. I wonder if people who are over-weight or have bad genes forbidden to apply ?

I don't smoke but we all have to put up with some of others' bad habits.
I just accept it.