a little unsure of where to post this, sorry if it in the wrong spot...
Im not going to lie most of the people in in station (juniors, firefighters, everyone) use some form of tobacco on a daily basis. Honestly i thought this was simply the norm until we visited another junior firefighter post and found out they get kicked off for using tobacco products. I really want to hear your thoughts on firefighters and juniors who use tobacco products as well as what rules your station has for both firefighters and junior firefighters who use tobacco products. My station really doesn't care, the only real rule is you have to take your dip out/put your smoke out during our meetings/trainings and this is only for safety. Thank you for your help!! stay safe
My point was, there is a department near mine who makes it's members sign a contract saying they do not smoke nor will they. This was initiated to protect the members and their health. They also have a wonderful fitness plan and nutritional counselling. Proactive if you ask me.
lol... well, for that department,it ended with smoking... Ontario Presumptive Legislation covers a great deal of cancers, heart disease, thanks to last year's quickly pushed through Bill 111 (Bob Shaw's Bill... a long time coming and really an incredible story), but there is a stipulation that the onus is on the firefighter to prove his/her disease is job related if they are a smoker. Sure makes it tough.
There is no stipulation on booze, drugs or fast food. That's why it's been implemented and that's where the "buck stops".
PS - the original question was related to Jr's... children... smoking is bad! :0
Ronald Reagan said, "Government's purpose should be to protect its people, not to run their lives".
I agree 1000%.
The smoking bans went from a freedom of choice issue, to a judicial issue (someone filed a lawsuit), to a legislative issue (laws were created to ban smoking) to an executive issue (signed because it was an election year).
We have become too maternal. We believe that we HAVE to protect some people from themselves. We do things for "their own good". We are replacing common sense with more NONSENSE.
It's kinda like defining what "marriage" is.
It has gotten ridiculous and if I'm elected, everyone is going to get on board to form consensus.
It makes sense.
TCSS.
Art
in my station we have no rules that say u cant do it simply because it a volunteer station. the cheif cant realy tell us to quit. they just cant do it around the station.
well at the vol. station i am at everyone either smokes or dips even the chiefs...we just cant smoke or dip in the offices,dayrrom,training room,and if you dip you better not spit out side on the pads or parking lot..on that hand i smoke and dip and i will go into a burning house with a dip in. we can smoke or dip on calls,fire or what not. and at the station if you have a dip cup or bottle you better throw it away caus eif you dont it makes the chief mad..so we dont have a problem with it in gray court, south carolina
So you signed a 'clause' agreeing not to use tobacco, and were hired. Now you use tobacco constantly. Do you honestly think thats the right thing to do? To sign a contract and then flagrently breach that contract? How loud would you scrteam if your employer ignored some of the terms of that contract? Maybe my moral code is higher, but I think your actions are wrong.
For those who chew... here's an update. One of my guys came to the office to work a light duty assignment today. Turns out he has throat cancer and will be having both surgery and chemotherapy. The cause? He did not smoke but did dip and chew for years. We talked about it and this post. Can you imagine the regrets that he has now?
I love all of you guys but it sure seem to be that a lot of you are living your lives in Egypt... taking a cruise down de-nile... It's not too late to make a change in your lives that will ensure more time on this wonderful planet...
Additionally, actually swallowing the tobacco and saliva has a pretty good chance of causing esophageal or stomach cancer. Have you seen people in your careers that have been affected by this. What a horrid way to die. Real men make appropriate responsible decisions. Yes, it's your life but you have to think about the impact on those who care about you... people like me... : ) TCSS, Mike from SB
Michael:
I was being sarcastic.
To "have a dip in" while wearing an SCBA mask would have unpleasant results.
I would hope that they aren't sharing their masks.
I do not promote its use.
My personal decisions are just that.
My attempt at humor in this case was off target.
I apologize.
TCSS.
Art