*starts popping popcorn*

Next it will be alcohol, then salt, then fatty foods.

My work started charging smokers more this year for health insurance, and by default they put everyone down as a smoker. How long before they make people who drink pay more? And make overweight people pay more? Slippery slope.

I've been to a casino or two, and IIRC, the places are filled to the brim with smokers. So, it isn't OK for the employees to smoke, but being around other people smoking for hours at a time is fine?

Walker: My work started charging smokers more this year for health insurance, and by default they put everyone down as a smoker.

How is that legal? Sounds like some serious fraud there. You're basically mis-representing an employee on their health insurance application. That's all sorts of illegal.

ytterbium: I've been to a casino or two, and IIRC, the places are filled to the brim with smokers. So, it isn't OK for the employees to smoke, but being around other people smoking for hours at a time is fine?

Looks like it.

Hey, I'm no fan of smokers, and I support smoking bans in workplaces. Like any lifestyle choice, I don't have a problem if you wanna do it...But the second you decide *I* have to do it, too? That's where YOUR rights end, and where MINE start. Take it outside, Captain Cancersticks.

But the other side of the coin is that I also have to support allowing smoking in casinos run by First Nations folks. It's their land and their laws. So getting the f**k out of the way, and letting 'em run stuff how they see fit (and take as much money as possible away from stupid white people in the process) is about the LEAST the Feds can do.

However, according to the article (which makes no mention of this being an Indian-owned facility), that doesn't seem to apply in this instance. So, unless they're willing to also ban customer smoking in the casino, then they're a bunch of hypocritical assbags.

What the fark. I smoke tobacco occasionally, and that's my own damn business. Why should you feel like you need control over my life? Besides, there's ways to beat a piss test.

downstairs: Walker: My work started charging smokers more this year for health insurance, and by default they put everyone down as a smoker.

How is that legal? Sounds like some serious fraud there. You're basically mis-representing an employee on their health insurance application. That's all sorts of illegal.

They sent an email saying to go change it if you're not a smoker, but I'm sure many people won't see that and since they aren't changing their insurance options they won't even go into the open enrollment website and see it. Of course they will notice when they get their first paycheck with the new rates, since it costs $50 more a month if you are a smoker.

Oh, they also by default put everyone down for a "Working Spouse Surcharge," even if you don't have a spouse. The email said: If your spouse/eligible partner is employed and is able to obtain medical plan coverage through his or her employer, you will be charged an additional $100 a month to cover him or her under our medical plan. This surcharge applies to employees who elect to cover a spouse/eligible partner. If your partner experiences a qualifying life event (loss of job, etc.) during the plan year, this surcharge may be removed and/or reinstated at any time. To avoid the surcharge, you must actively elect non-working spouse rates during open enrollment.

Incog_Neeto: People who smoke cost you more on your health insurance.

Who cares? You can pass the extra costs onto them.

Walker: Next it will be alcohol, then salt, then fatty foods.




/approves