Strict Smoking Policy For San Mateo County Safety Officers
By Associated Press - July 8, 2004San Mateo, Ca (AP) _ The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has adopted a strict policy that bars smokers from being hired as sheriff's deputies, sergeants, jail officers and district attorney inspectors.
The change, which will not apply to existing public safety employees, is designed to reduce workers' compensation claims in light of a state law that classifies cancer and heart disease as job-related illnesses for all public safety officers.
"Should taxpayers be on the hook to pay for diseases that are really caused by someone's personal lifestyle?'' the president of the board of supervisors, Mark Church, asked Tuesday. "Our board has said resoundingly no.''
Workers' compensation costs in San Mateo County rose from about $3.5 million to $6 million over the three years ending in July 2003.
As of Oct. 1, prospective officers must sign an agreement certifying they are nonsmokers, both on and off the job. Violating the agreement is cause for termination.
The Deputy Sheriff's Association said the new policy it's an invasion of privacy.
"Everyone is out there, putting their lives on the line, and they're not just looking for bad guys, they're looking for terrorists, too, and now they're going to say you can't have a cigar when you get home?'' the association's president, Mary Ganley said.
Officers already on the force who smoke will be allowed to continue.
Undersheriff Greg Munks said about 10 percent of the 400 sheriff's officers in the county smoke. Sheriff's officials hope to have a smoke-free department within about 20 years.
San Mateo County District Attorney Jim Fox said all of the 11 inspectors are nonsmokers.
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