To obtain a 2016 non-tobacco credit ($99/month), my employer demands that I complete the company approved, no cost tobacco cessation program. I need to call the Lung Help Line (sponsored by American Lung Association) at 1-800-586-4872 to speak with a qualified tobacco cessation specialist. After I’ve complete FIVE telephonic counseling sessions, complete and return the attached certificate to Human Resources.
That’s right folks! I would have to pay $99 dollars a month to smoke a tobacco pipe. The trick is the insurance company categorizes it as a ‘credit’ so they don’t have to define it as a fee.
So anyway I called the number. It went fairly easy. I asked for the person’s name so I could record it for my employer. They wouldn’t give out their last names. I thought that was odd. What, do they think we pipe smokers are crazy lunatics?
So I’m curious. I feel this is an invasion of my privacy. I’m not sure what sort of questions or discussions that will take place during my next four calls. This all just rubs me the wrong way. Same thing goes for when we have random drug tests at work, they test for nicotine. I wonder if they test for caffeine.
Perhaps I’ll tell them I smoke a pipe for spiritual reasons as did my Choctaw ancestors and tell them I am offended that I am subjugated to this offensive invasion of my privacy. I’m sure if I do then they will just not give me an option to gain the $99 credit at all.
On another topic I wanted to share. I live in a small town of about 7000 surrounded by cornfields. The next town is an hour away. We have two of those old people commuter buses. Yes for old people. Not like the big city busses or anything. Anyway, on the side of the bus is a large bulletin board and it reads ‘If you smoke, they do too!’. Sort of as if someone thought it would be a great idea to just passively attack any would be smokers in the area. I kind of laugh at that because here is the diesel bus parked in a parking lot spewing out diesel fumes for 30 minutes at a time while sitting there waiting.
That’s right folks! I would have to pay $99 dollars a month to smoke a tobacco pipe. The trick is the insurance company categorizes it as a ‘credit’ so they don’t have to define it as a fee.
So anyway I called the number. It went fairly easy. I asked for the person’s name so I could record it for my employer. They wouldn’t give out their last names. I thought that was odd. What, do they think we pipe smokers are crazy lunatics?
So I’m curious. I feel this is an invasion of my privacy. I’m not sure what sort of questions or discussions that will take place during my next four calls. This all just rubs me the wrong way. Same thing goes for when we have random drug tests at work, they test for nicotine. I wonder if they test for caffeine.
Perhaps I’ll tell them I smoke a pipe for spiritual reasons as did my Choctaw ancestors and tell them I am offended that I am subjugated to this offensive invasion of my privacy. I’m sure if I do then they will just not give me an option to gain the $99 credit at all.
On another topic I wanted to share. I live in a small town of about 7000 surrounded by cornfields. The next town is an hour away. We have two of those old people commuter buses. Yes for old people. Not like the big city busses or anything. Anyway, on the side of the bus is a large bulletin board and it reads ‘If you smoke, they do too!’. Sort of as if someone thought it would be a great idea to just passively attack any would be smokers in the area. I kind of laugh at that because here is the diesel bus parked in a parking lot spewing out diesel fumes for 30 minutes at a time while sitting there waiting.
