The impact that smoking has on your health is far greater than beer, red meat and coffee. Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's wise to be compulsive about it. Endulgence is completely emersing yourself in an experience or moment once in a while; still not an excuse or reason to smoke. I worked and did research in the human physiology and exercise science professions for 5 years and never saw worse autopsy's than those who smoked....As well as those who didn't (2nd hand smoke). There are many things that are legal but that doesn't make it right, fundamentally.

85% of emphysema, COPD and lung cancer would be eliminated if people stopped smoking. Furthermore, the insurance rates would go down. Preventative medicine is the best medicine; it's saves you both the suffering and the money.

Plus, If you're saving Alaska money on insurance, couldn't that potentially be more money in your pocket? It's certainly a possibility.

 

Who said anything about compulsive? My point is you said no smoking no medical period. What if you only indulge in a cigar every once in a while? You are lumping all the smokers into one category. The compulsive kind. My point is you shouldn't punish everyone just because a few over indulge. What's next I can't go to the beach because sun exposure causes cancer?

 

You're comparing things that are totally different. Skin cancer is a whole different topic and wont cause a heart attack and other things I mentioned. Skin cancer is something that happens over a longer period of time. 1000's of People have had heart attacks within 6 months of their initial smoking habit. 1000's of people develop serious asthma symptoms from smoking. 1000's of people develop COPD from smoking within a few months.

I still stand on no medical for smokers; I hope it happens one day! A cigar once in a while is totally different and doesn't pose nearly the health risk that cigarettes do. Although, you might lose your low lip, tongue or even the esophagus from cigars. There are approx. 300 chemical compounds in cigarettes and a good cigar might have 2 or 3. You dont run the risk of CHF, COPD, MI or emphysema with cigars nearly as much as you do with cigarettes. I'm not promoting to go and smoke cigars. All habitual smoking/drug use (yes, cigarettes are a drug) poses serious health risks. Coplusive, indugence, moderate...Whatever. That doesn't negate the fact that smoking is cancerous and inconsiderate to those around you. Smoke all you want if you like but be considerate of others and don't fly a plane full of people. If you have a deathwish (violent one at that) than go ahead and smoke but do it in a closed room away from others. I can't fathom defending such a disgusting habit. What's in it for those who smoke? Please give me all the pros about smoking. After your done listing one or two pros, list the cons. I guarantee that you'll have several pages of cons.

You're missing a BIG point too. No smoking will save everyone money, including the company, and that could potentially be more money in your paycheck. It will save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars as well.

I'm not sure if Alaska follows the ACSM standards but you are considered a current smoker by most companies if you have had a cigarette within 6 months. If Alaska does follow these guidelines, why would anyone start smoking again after they quit to get the job? Is it about "catch me smoking if you can" or "I want to keep my job at Alaska so I will stop smoking". I don't know, what happens if you're caught smoking at Alaska Airlines? Throw me a bone here.

 

I didn't know 1,000's of high school kids were dropping dead from heart attacks Give it up you are making numbers up. If you still stand by no medicals for tobacco users then be prepared to eliminate medicals for alcohol users, red meat users, etc. You see my point where does it end?

 

I have my breakfast every morning with the "Een Brothers", Caff-Een and Nicot-Een. Haha!

 

alcohol is a drug too, are you gonna say no drinking or no medical? alcoholism kills tens of thousands of people every year....

Hey on a basic level I agree with you ... i dont smoke ....never have.... but that is a slippery slope most dont want to go down.

 

Actually, some high school kids do die from heart attacks (smoking and obesity related). But unless the population of the United States is comprised of all highschool kids, then 1000's is refering to the population as a whole which includes a lot of people over the age of 16. I assure you those numbers aren't made up. I was in the profession I said I was in and I'm not going to degrade the hard work I put into that profession by making up numbers. PM me if you want my credentials, website, research data, etc. I will happily hand it over as it is public information at the University I worked at. Otherwise don't make accusations without facts.

I see your perspective but it's not a valid comparisson; red meat, alcohol vs smoking. Smoking effects more than just the user, it effects people around. Smokers comprimise their own health as well as others around them. If you're at the other dinner table sawing away at a t-bone, it's not going to directly effect anyone exept you. If you're taking shots of Captain Morgan, it's not going to directly effect anyone but you. Eating red meat once in a while is not nearly as harmful to your health as smoking a cigarette once in a while. Having a drink here and there isn't going to give you serious problems. But to answer your question about red meat and alcohol, perhaps a more thorough examination could determine if one is fit to fly with a chronic redmeat eating habit and alcohol problem.

Do you think it's a good idea to smoke? Is there a pro with smoking you would like to share? The health effects (heart disease) of smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the US right now. Prevetable death! In simple terms, that means that you can prevent bad things from happening to you if you stop! Do you want bad things to happen to you? I would certainly hope not.

And once again, if a non-smoking policy is going to save the company money, that just may be potential to have more money stamped on your paycheck. Don't you want more money? Maybe it's just me, but that seems like a no brainer. If I smoked, I would quit anyway just to keep my job at Alaska and to keep the company I work for looking more professional. While Alaskas policy isn't going to solve the smoking problem completely, it's certainly a positive start.

I worked in a smoking cessation clinic for 3 months and we had a 95% success rate. I'm not going to give up. No medical if you smoke; That's just one man's opinion.


edit: and I just now saw your last post. Lo Siento, amigo. I understand where you are coming from, however I can never justify advocating poor health habits to a pilot.

 

What are you all smoking? Do you think that all those fat asses out there smoke? All the knee replacements from overweight pilots. Not to mention diabetes etc. Do you think 250 pounds at 5'10" is professional looking. I have seen a lot of that. I think they should hire no fat people. Sound absurd. So does your point. I am actually ok with the airline not hiring smokers. However, they should be able to discriminate against fat people too. I hate the way our public has been sold this bill of bull**** that tobacco is the devil. My God, what's happening to our freedoms in this country?

 

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Amen brother....I can't believe what I am reading on this post.

 

Actually, no one sold anything to me. I figured it out on my own when I dug my hands into a 35 year old cadavers' black lungs and brittle heart in an autopsy. She smoked for 17 years. I still gag when I think of the smell of the remaining rotting lung tissue in the plural cavity. The sight didn't help either.

But you might be onto something, reCAL. Obesity does play a big part in heart disease and many overweight pilots lose their medical every year from heart complications and other vascular issues. Good point, reCAL.

What can't you believe? That smoking is detrimental to your health? I think I'm going to get blue in the face before I get through a head made of bricks. <waving white flag>