http://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/archive/2007/01/10/Workplace_smoking_Scotts_Miracle_Gro_wellness_programs.aspxTo improve health and cut costs, a large corporation has begun firing smokers. But two attorneys are suggesting a better way. en-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Debug Build: 60217.2664)http://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/archive/2007/01/10/Workplace_smoking_Scotts_Miracle_Gro_wellness_programs.aspx#237Wed, 10 Jan 2007 14:55:59 GMTd41f1d89-8bcd-45c6-82d9-dc5c7ed081a0:237louise wiIt is unfortunate that after all these years of the public and private sectors heralding anti smoking legislation that more business' and even insurance companies do not offer smoking cessation information/products nor cover the expense of such. Whathttp://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/archive/2007/01/10/Workplace_smoking_Scotts_Miracle_Gro_wellness_programs.aspx#239Wed, 10 Jan 2007 15:23:21 GMTd41f1d89-8bcd-45c6-82d9-dc5c7ed081a0:239Ginny FreeThe mind set of this country is becoming dangerously set on economics as the deciding factor to resolve any issue.  There is increasing publicity about the financial costs of obesity.  Will employers soon be able legally to set  weighthttp://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/archive/2007/01/10/Workplace_smoking_Scotts_Miracle_Gro_wellness_programs.aspx#240Wed, 10 Jan 2007 15:49:49 GMTd41f1d89-8bcd-45c6-82d9-dc5c7ed081a0:240Sharlie GatesWhat is next?  I am not a smoker but will the next issue be weighing in employees to make sure they are not overweight.  This causes just as many health problems as smoking.http://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/archive/2007/01/10/Workplace_smoking_Scotts_Miracle_Gro_wellness_programs.aspx#241Wed, 10 Jan 2007 15:54:21 GMTd41f1d89-8bcd-45c6-82d9-dc5c7ed081a0:241Becky MatthewsTheir employees can drink themselves silly at night, as long as they do not smoke a cigarette with the beer? An alcoholic is likely to die 12 years sooner than his nonalcoholic cohorts. Has the Scott's company also issued mandatory alcohol testing?  Ashttp://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/archive/2007/01/10/Workplace_smoking_Scotts_Miracle_Gro_wellness_programs.aspx#242Wed, 10 Jan 2007 19:57:31 GMTd41f1d89-8bcd-45c6-82d9-dc5c7ed081a0:242Revann StanleyThis is ridiculous.  What's next.  And how many of those making these decisions go home and have a martini or stop at one of the better restaurants and have a drink with dinner - or two or three - and then drive home.  Probably more thanhttp://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/archive/2007/01/10/Workplace_smoking_Scotts_Miracle_Gro_wellness_programs.aspx#243Wed, 10 Jan 2007 20:28:13 GMTd41f1d89-8bcd-45c6-82d9-dc5c7ed081a0:243Susan TarneyHis costs, although he thinks this is true, are not related to cigarette induced cancers!  They are more likely the result of "accidents" in general and pregnancies and the related costs therein. But, of course, what is good for the goosehttp://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/archive/2007/01/10/Workplace_smoking_Scotts_Miracle_Gro_wellness_programs.aspx#244Wed, 10 Jan 2007 21:50:50 GMTd41f1d89-8bcd-45c6-82d9-dc5c7ed081a0:244Mel SonenscheinI am appalled by actions such as those taken by Scotts.  If the company really has concerns about its employees' health, firing them isn't a great way of showing it.  After all, people often suffer physical and emotional breakdowns after beinghttp://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/archive/2007/01/10/Workplace_smoking_Scotts_Miracle_Gro_wellness_programs.aspx#246Wed, 10 Jan 2007 23:16:28 GMTd41f1d89-8bcd-45c6-82d9-dc5c7ed081a0:246gladys beckhamWe have to be careful this is a slippery slope. If Corporations are able to site healthcare savings and expense as a reason for firing someone in a particular category - then what happens to a person who is overweight. It can be said that obesity causes,http://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/archive/2007/01/10/Workplace_smoking_Scotts_Miracle_Gro_wellness_programs.aspx#291Thu, 15 Feb 2007 08:24:18 GMTd41f1d89-8bcd-45c6-82d9-dc5c7ed081a0:291Issah MwambasiScotts should be made to understand the problem,i.e. smoking,from medical and psychological points of view. I have come across smokers who actually curse their smoking mentors and the day they started smoking and is equally true those in Scotts are nothinghttp://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/archive/2007/01/10/Workplace_smoking_Scotts_Miracle_Gro_wellness_programs.aspx#294Fri, 16 Feb 2007 14:59:22 GMTd41f1d89-8bcd-45c6-82d9-dc5c7ed081a0:294Richard ParkerI admire Scotts and wish we could do the same.  Our smokers are the least productive people on our staff and they look like fools outside of the building when everyone else is working.  I love they way they have to put one foot up behind themhttp://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/archive/2007/01/10/Workplace_smoking_Scotts_Miracle_Gro_wellness_programs.aspx#311Fri, 23 Feb 2007 15:08:58 GMTd41f1d89-8bcd-45c6-82d9-dc5c7ed081a0:311stacy penroseI work in a casino where there are many co-workers who smoke. We have a area outside the building where they can smoke also. It looks pathetic each time we have to walk through that area when going to work. I agree that they are not as producitve, theyhttp://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/archive/2007/01/10/Workplace_smoking_Scotts_Miracle_Gro_wellness_programs.aspx#476Fri, 27 Jul 2007 19:15:55 GMTd41f1d89-8bcd-45c6-82d9-dc5c7ed081a0:476Caren WelliverMaybe we should look at the insurance companies as well.  Most aids on the market to stop smoking are not covered by insurance. http://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/archive/2007/01/10/Workplace_smoking_Scotts_Miracle_Gro_wellness_programs.aspx#1158Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:21:29 GMTd41f1d89-8bcd-45c6-82d9-dc5c7ed081a0:1158Paulette MestasFrom an employers viewpoint, not only do we pay substantially higher rates for smokers Medical Insurance Rates, there is many more sick days, colds, and they smell like smoke.. the worst is the excessive breaks being taken by smokers, and workloads that