Firefighters who smoke, dip or chew... thoughts?

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

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Permalink Reply by Mac Conant on October 12, 2008 at 10:54pm

There arnt alot of smokers on our dept...

I think im the only one on my dept that dips

but the other depts around here, the number of dip users go's up.

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Permalink Reply by BillySFCVFD on October 12, 2008 at 10:58pm

Ahh it's easy to quit JB. I've done it a hundred times. hahaha TCSS

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Permalink Reply by Justin Buck on October 12, 2008 at 11:16pm

lol i just stop trying to quit. i like it to much lol

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Permalink Reply by Mac Conant on October 12, 2008 at 11:31pm

jeeeeeesus that guy takes a biggggg dip

as far as a 'For starters" vid that sucks..u take that much ur first time ur pukein in like a minute.

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Permalink Reply by Justin Buck on October 12, 2008 at 11:33pm

lol

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Permalink Reply by Tony P on October 13, 2008 at 12:08am

I'm not even going to look at those Luke. Reading about the habit on wiki was bad enough!

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Permalink Reply by Spanner 122 on October 13, 2008 at 7:36am

What do I think? Especially as Junior members, not even 18 and already setting the stage for serious disease in their lifetime? It's a no brainer... quit. There is a department not far from mine that has you sign a Non smoking contract when you are hired. Presumptive legislation in Ontario clearly states that you can be left without WSIB coverage if you get cancer or heart disease and you are a smoker. AND, in Ontario it is illegal to sell tobacco products to people under the age of 18, so it is also illegal.

less and less people on my department smoke. The younger guys are few for sure. It's not worth the risk. If you and/or the members of your Junior department are smoking, perhaps it's time for a challenge to quit.

Take a look at the LODD's over the past few years and see how many of them are cancer or heart related. Now add smoking to that and imagine what your chances are.

All of that being said, I used to smoke, for about 8 years, when I quit cold turkey (7 years before getting on the job). It can be done, there is nothing cool about an addiction, especially one that will kill you.

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Permalink Reply by Spanner 122 on October 13, 2008 at 7:40am

that's disgusting. I had a friend who died because she had cancer in her mouth, lost her tongue and half of one cheek in surgery... not fun at all. she didn't 'dip' or smoke, but that is the reality for those who do.

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Permalink Reply by Dale on October 13, 2008 at 7:58am

i went to OYFETA [ohio youth fire and EMS training academy]

it was held at hocking colledge, and i seen that most of the people used dip, it was fairly odd for us jr. because where we came from no one used dip, not even senior members, i even seen girls using dip, its more disgusting then smokeing if you ask me