[SaoirseRylyn]

I wasn't sure where to post this, hopefully I got the right forum.

I've been with my company for the past three years, but recently transferred to Texas for a promotion. The new branch that I started at just announced that they are conducting drug, alcohol and nicotine testing for every employee. Not worried about the drug or alcohol testing, but nicotine? I have very high anxiety and use my cigarette breaks at work to clear my head and calm myself down. I know it isn't the best solution, but it works. Have any of you ever heard of this? It doesn't even seem legal to discriminate against smokers like that.

A little extra information, I work for a marketing company. There are days that I drive around a lot and meet with clients, but there are also days that I spend up to 15 hours in the office. I'm stressing out like crazy about this.

[Travelinglady]

I've never heard of nicotine testing either. It must be the latest issue in companies. Have they said what the consequences are for a positive nicotine test?

Well, if it's any comfort, it might lead you to quitting, which would be the best health-wise. I'm sure there's bound to be an article somewhere about ways to deal with stress other than smoking.

Hang in there!

[SaoirseRylyn]

They're threatening suspension until we can pass. From what I've read online it takes seven days for the nicotine to leave your system even. Hopefully I'll have enough time to quit. I've been looking for a compelling push to quitting smoking, but it's just a hard thing to face when you're not prepared. Then again, doubt I'd ever be prepared =/

[Hellion]

Is it just one drug test? if so you could potentially not smoke long enough to pass the test...but if it's going to be some random monthly thing or something it might be an issue. I don't know I haven't heard of that.......and i disagree with drug tests in general. Unless someone is acting all weird on the job or impaired I don't think its any of their employers business what they choose to put in their body. Not to mention there is a rather high false positive rate like one can show up positive for opiates from a poppy seed muffin.

[bebop]

I have a friend that just went to work for a company and they knew she smoked but they gave her the job and 90 days to quit smoking. They do check like on pop drug test. Good luck with quitting!

[cocoabeans]

Originally Posted by Hellion

Is it just one drug test? if so you could potentially not smoke long enough to pass the test...but if it's going to be some random monthly thing or something it might be an issue. I don't know I haven't heard of that.......and i disagree with drug tests in general. Unless someone is acting all weird on the job or impaired I don't think its any of their employers business what they choose to put in their body. Not to mention there is a rather high false positive rate like one can show up positive for opiates from a poppy seed muffin.

Agree! But I'm in Canada where we may not have truly free speech but we've got freedoms. I could not care less about whether or not even an elementary school teacher wants to smoke crack on her weekends as long as she's with it during the work week.

[Harley47]

Nicotine testing? My God...that sucks! I was quite fond of my cigarettes back when I smoked regular cigs, and now I'm not too far away at any given time from my ecig(s)...that's brutal for them to threaten suspension over something so mild. Are they expecting you to go cold turkey or bust?

Well...I do suppose it offers a good incentive to quit, if anything. I'd offer you my old Blu ecigs where it not for the problem of the nicotine itself still being a problem. They DO offer nicotine free variants...that might help with the psychological part of the habit.

I wish I could offer you more help. I replaced my analog cigarette consumption with electronic cigarettes, and that worked for me, but that's replacing nicotine with nicotine, albeit in a less chemical laced format. Please know I'm praying for you, and I wish you all the best.

Hugs,
Harley

[Fresia]

There are many employers going to nicotine testing now, especially to determine your health insurance rates so that smokers contribute more towards their insurance or to keep their insurance rates down, or just to keep a smoke free environment.

It depends on the test, that there are two levels of detection currently, depending on the lab and what the employer is doing for testing: one test takes in 7-10 days to clear out of the system for no detection and the other takes 20-30 days to clear out. It also depends on how heavy a smoker you are that affects the rate.

Wishing you the best with this. It is not easy no matter which way you go. Good luck!