Riverside California is banning smoking for all employees who wear a badge. The smoking ban is being pushed through for the bullshit reason of lowering insurance costs, which is one of the most bogus of all pleasure police claims. What's more, Riverside thinks that since 17% of all Californians smoke, they will see a 17% reduction in their workers compensation claims, which is a total pipe dream (no pun intended).

Since the ban is for "insurance reasons", it includes not allowing employees to smoke in their own home, on their own time. Anyone caught smoking will be fired. What isn't provided, is documentation to show that this is nothing more than a government attempt to run people's private lives. There are no statistics and no studies presented to even show that workers compensation claims are being filed for smoking related illnesses. Instead, it's just a "fire everyone who smokes" mandate.

Today it is smokers, tomorrow it will be some other activity that you enjoy. I'll repeat something I first said back in October 2002. Under the guise of decreasing insurance premiums, here are some other regulations they should impose:

No skydiving, water-skiing, motorcycling, hang gliding, or bungee jumping.
No reading or watching TV in the dark.
No going to loud rock concerts.
No running with scissors.
No burning candles after 9 PM.
Employee's homes must be properly equipped with bath mats.
No electrical outlets without a safety cover.
Employees must always use the handrail on the stairs.
Employees must wash hands, regardless of whether or not they are returning to work.
No frayed extension cords.
No answering the door without knowing who it is.
No talking to strangers

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The Unprotected Minority -- 08/19/2003