On the sweets ban, if I sent a candy bar in my childs lunch and the school said that they could not have it the school would have hell to pay.


In the state of Illinois the use of tabaco products on school property has been illegal for over 10 years. After the first 2 or 3 yrs the enforcement kind of dropped way off.

You know, I have been a member here at Pixies for almost 5 years. I have met many people with whom I will always think of fondly, and I miss terribly because I am not able to get here and post as often as I would like to post. When I do have time to come here, maybe start a thread or post a comment on anything - this is what I get.

I didn't start this thread to start a heated debate, hurt anyone's feelings, or get attacked by the moral right. I started this thread to vent, get advice, and just discuss a little bit about what is bothering me, or happening in my life because there are members here that have gotten to know me and wonder about Cobalt and I.

Again, CunningLinguist - I am sorry that you have had some bad experiences obviously linked to smoking/smokers. I understand that you don't like the habit. I also understand that you have had some bad experiences at your workplace that, frankly, would upset me as well and is plain not fair.

One thing that I wish you would have understood initially was that both Cobalt and I are quitting this habit. We want to become non-smokers. Not for you because you don't like it - or other non-smokes don't like it, but for us and our family.

This is about those in charge taking steps to affect the behaviors of their employees, whether they are smokers or drinkers, or surf the net for porn. The object of this discussion that I started happened to be around the smoking issue, but substitute that vice for anything else you would have a choice to do in your life. From eating chocolate to smoking to drinking to walking around naked in your own home.

(((((Cheyanne))))) Best of luck to you and Cobalt from trying to quit. It's a bitch! I smoked for 23 years and have been smoke free for 15 months now. It can be done and it is sooooooo worth it, as you already know.

I think it is total bullshit that they can search your car for a legal product. :rolleyes2

I'm of two minds about smoking - part of me just thinks it should be illegal. Nothing gets my panties in a knot more than watching little kids in a car with the windows rolle dup, and the parent is smoking away in the front seat. That happened to me as a kid, and I remember how sick it used to make me.

But I also believe that people have rights to do what they want to their own bodies, as long as those rights don't infrings others'. In the end game, this right comes before my annoyance and concerns about second hand smoke - because I don't want anyone to tell me that I must lose weight, can't use excessive garlic on food, or that I need to stop having an occasional glass of wine.

I mean, life is supposed to be fun, too.


(((((Chey and Cobalt))))) - good luck on the quitting journey, and I wish you nothing but the best. I'm sorry that part of your motivation for quitting is this shitty freedom-abridging rule. No one ever said it's fun working in a school, too many rules and too many parents into your private life. Still ~~ we're lucky to have you as a teacher/mentor to students!

:x:

Thanks TT - it is the hardest thing that I have had to do so far in my life!

osuche - We decided to quit prior to this policy. When I started, there wasn't all the information out about the many health hazards that there is today. Again.. hindsight.

LOL... I am going to have to make sure that there isn't any unhealthy snacks in the car either... hmmmm - in my emergency snow kit there are usually chocolate bars... lol.. That is going to be next probably..

Do drug dogs hit on chocolate now? LOL LOL LOL LOL

Only if you spike it with the ditch weed. :D

Hugs to ya both. Good Luck!

Keep in mind that some people just go around blowing smoke up people's ass to start shit :D Not necessarily cig smoke just the kind that comes from being full of hot air.:D

For some reason smoking is a hot topic :hot: Its wonderful to express your opinion about it but keep in mind, it is only your opinion.

The sad fact is that as a worker in this country you're rights are pretty limited. Basically, at this moment, a worker may be fired for any lifestyle choice including homosexuality or swinging (ain't protected by law yet).



Just sharing why there is such smoking hatred.



On the contrary, I don't really care what you do in your spare time or even at your job since we don't work together and I doubt anyone is abusing it to the levels I've seen.

It would probably surprise you that I am totally against smoking bans in bars.



And I also know I could quit at any time. I know people who quit any job when they ask for a drug test. They are good workers, and some of them don't even use drugs, but it is the principle of the thing.



Well, your only going to quit when you make the decision to quit, and I'm not going to lecture you on it until your habit starts infringing on me. You'd have to really go out of your way to get to that point.



Every place I've ever worked at will fire a person on the spot for drinking on the job or surfing for porn. When I was doing computer security for Dupont, I saw the tickets filed where an engineer was caught with a stash of porn on her computer. It's not a joke.



1) Eating Chocolate: People don't use it as an excuse to waste company time, like I've seen so many smokers do.

2) Smoking: At my current job, it is leading to a 25% loss in productivity. I'd quit my job right now, but I've realized that since I chose to work as an unskilled, uneducated laborer I'm going to get the same treatment everywhere. It was only when I was treated as an educated professional that I was seen as more than a faceless peasant to be replaced on a whim.

3) Drinking: You're going to get fired for drinking on the job anywhere you go except if you work in a bar or own the company.

4) Naked in the home: No job should be able to fire anyone for doing something on their time even if they are doing drugs, smoking, drinking, having unprotected sex with multiple partners or sacrifice bulls to Sargas, Lord of Vengeance.

I do think the searching your cars is a bit over-reacting, and I wouldn't sweat it. If you do find out that they are firing people for having cigarettes in their car, then I would be re-writing a resume and looking for a new job even though I don't smoke. No job should feel the right to check your car, your purse, etc.

Look, let's all just smoke a bowl and hug each other.

I didn't get to play Dungeons and Dragons or Magic the Gathering tonight so I've brought munchies!

Who wants chips and chipotle salsa? :grope:

Only the female one's can Chey

Cheyanne,

I forgot to congratulate you on your and Cobalt's decisions to quit smoking. Good for you, and best of luck! I agree with TinglingTess that it was quite difficult, but also that the results are worth the effort!

:thumb:

Cheyanne

I gave up 21 years ago, and I'm still off them.

I am disturbed that a company can search an employee's car for something which does not involve dishonesty or illegal dealing with the company.

How many millions would the lawsuit be worth?

The last time I looked,company's breaktime schedule are the same for smokers and non smokers alike,and we all try to take as much advantage as possible. I have smoked all of my adult life and really never had any consideration to quit. I can no longer smoke on the beach in the lovely city of Santa Monica.I have never smoked in a car,while driving or a passenger.Don't smoke in grocery stores,elevators,banks or most public places.This I do out of consideration for those around me. I even step outside to light up at my own house. I have totally given up on the idea of sharing a cigarette while basking in the afterglow.

within the next 2 years when the company I work for changes "campuses"(they're building one in a central location to replace the 8 different locations around town), they're going to a "smoke-free" workplace type thing...employees won't be able to smoke in their cars either...and on the company website there's a "blog" from the president about the "smoke-free" environment and such and they've already had the big argument over smokers vs the snackers and snacks, etc...It got WAY out of hand WAY fast...and the thing is, I work for one of the blasted insurance companies!