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I am currently in my second week of quitting smoking cigarettes in preparation for getting healthier for joining the volunteers. I was just wondering, are there even any firefighters that smoke? I mean I know it sounds dumb because you can't be running up stairs on a call and get out of breath, and your around smoke enough. Curiosity just got the best of me. Thanks to all that reply.
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:-J Remmy -
I personally don't - but I'd hazard a guess that about 20-30% of the guys at my station do. We're a volunteer station - pretty sure the career station in the city has a policy stating only non-smokers need apply. -
Hm...interesting. So a career could deny employment because someone smokes?:-J RemmyComment
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Yepperdo - just checked their site - last question is this:
30. Are you a non-smoker and willing to remain so?
"You should be able to answer “yes” to each of these questions
and “no” to question #8"
Given their number of applicants vs. number of jobs available, it looks like they'll circular file you if you smoke.Comment
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Yes I smoke as do others.Comment
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We have some smokers, but they are few and mostly older guys that are near retirement. They are allowed to smoke on-duty, but not inside the stations.
I have heard of departments and cities that don't allow smoking, and in some cases no form of tobacco, at all; on-duty or off. In some cases part of it stems from the cancer legislation. If the employer is going to be on the hook if you get cancer, they're going to make sure that you're not getting it by some other means.Comment
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Yes, the Heart and Lung bill will not cover you if you smoke, IIRC. In addition, the career dept probably wants their members health and more cardiovascularly fit. I believe that around 50% of LODD's are due to cardiac issues. That's why a good number of depts have mandatory PT programs, and how the first day BP check came about."The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those willing to work and give to those who are not." Thomas JeffersonComment
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We have about 25 active members at the VFD, and I can only think of two that smoke.
I put my thinking cap on, and with the help of the others guys in my station, tried to think of the number of people on my shift (across all three battalions) that smoke. Of the 122 people, we could only think of one that smokes, and he's an older guy.
We are required to sign on no-tobacco policy for both on-duty and off-duty times, directly as a result of the presumptive act.Career Fire Captain
Volunteer Chief Officer
Never taking for granted that I'm privileged enough to have the greatest job in the world!Comment
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Our dept. has less than 10% that smoke out of about 650. About 90% of them are 30 and older. I'd say that about 20% of the 650 chew tobacco. As far as I know, there is no policy for tobacco use. Other than to try and drop the habit.
FM1I'm the one Fire and Rescue calls, when they need to be Rescued.
Originally posted by EastKyFFComment
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No policy in our department....except there are established "smoking areas".
Although I do smoke (as does my Capt. and others on my crew and across the department) I can understand the so called issues.......but every physical which includes stress test, every fit test, EKG's etc.......we all have flying colors.
As for those that appear to be judging (Dixon33 and Gory123)....you have no right to make judgement or question another's decision you have no control over! Get over it! Smoking is a personal issue and sometimes we need to accept others' desicions/actions even if we do not agree.Comment
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This is what bothers me about the current stance on smoking - I don't smoke, am not a fan of it, but it's not illegal. Ergo, what a consenting adult chooses to do legally is not for me to judge - and the current stance of turning smokers into modern-day lepers and pariahs is retarded.
As far as health issues are concerned, please don't smoke around me. But what you do to your body is entirely your choice - as it should be.Comment
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That's exactly how it should be viewed. Unfortunately, it seems that a lot of people in our society have decided that smoking is a disease when in actuality, it is a personal choice that no one else should have a say in.
I think the South Park episode about smoking puts it best
"So now everyone knows the dangers of smoking, and some people still chose to do it. And we believe that's what being an American is all about."
I am going to college in Maryland and my school instituted a campus wide no smoking policy. This includes all roads and sidewalks that surround and go through the school. So that if your smoking outside or even if your in your car smoking, you get a $75 fine the first time, and a $150 the second.
This means that students, teachers, cleaning staff, food staff (who ALL smoke) now need to walk a half mile in some cases just to smoke a single cigarette. I see some of the workers literally running across campus trying to make enough time to squeeze in a cigarette for their 5 minute break. The school even hired groups of people with red S.A.F.E. jackets to walk around campus and give out tickets.
Air should be free.:-J RemmyComment
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