We have removed the post since it does not fit with our theme of home and work safety
Tag Archives: control
SMOKING IS AN UNSAFE HABIT
Because I am a non-smoker, this is not meant to preach to those who are. I never was interested in even trying it, and was advised by an older friend when I was a young, newly married woman, to not start it, because it is expensive, and a hard habit to break. My dad smoked and so did my husband. I worked for years in an office that was full of smoke, because during those times the majority of people did smoke. Stars in movies smoked, maybe because they thought it made them look more sophisticated. It was just something I didn’t enjoy being exposed to. Experts advise that tobacco is addictive; anyone who has stopped smoking will tell you that is true; it is a very hard thing to overcome, as with any addiction.
Recently, the American Lung Association released a comprehensive State of Tobacco Control 2010 report that offers information regarding policies and programs that have been proven effective in confronting the country’s tobacco epidemic. It graded the federal government, District of Columbia, and all states on their tobacco control laws and regulations that were in effect as of January 1, 2011.
It is interesting to see how each state has worked to help smokers quit smoking. There were only five states – Arkansas, Maine, Montana, Oklahoma and Vermont that got all passing grades. Oklahoma barely passed with straight D’s. Most states flunked outright. The federal government’s top grade of B was for the Food and Drug Administrations’ putting into effect landmark legislation on curbing tobacco marketing and sales to kids, to end misleading cigarette labels and require larger health warnings on smokeless tobacco products. Many states enacted cigarette taxes for new revenues to balance budgets in hard times, but they did not invest in programs to help smokers quit and keep kids from starting. Texas got F’s for the amount it spends on anti-smoking campaigns, F for smoke free air, and F for not including cessation programs in Medicaid. You can check how your state was graded by going to State of Tobacco Control 2010, American Lung Association.
Each year, 443,000 people die from tobacco-related illnesses and secondhand smoke exposure. Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in America. It also costs the economy more than $193 billion in healthcare costs and lost productivity.
If you smoke, make your own list of Pros and Cons. I think you will find it much harder to list more good against the bad that comes from smoking. In reading the lists of many, the Pros include: bonding with other smokers and momentary gratification. Cons mentioned were: after-smell it leaves on clothes, furniture, car, house; breathing problems, cough; heartburn, shortness of breath, wasted time outside in bad weather, and expense.
People who smoke think that they are being unfairly punished by having to smoke only in areas designated for them; persons who don’t smoke have felt for years that they were exposed to unwanted smoke, so there are probably hard feelings either way about the subject. It is something to consider, though, especially for those who have small children, who shouldn’t have to breathe smoke in the home or car.
The bottom line is: what we do with our health is our responsibility. If a state gets a failing grade for not helping persons cease doing things that are harmful to their health, it’s is not their fault. It’s our own. We risk hurting ourselves in many ways, so place the blame where it belongs – on each individual who chooses to ignore the warning signs. The way for each one of us to get an A is to choose ways of living that will keep us both safe and healthy.
WORKPLACE BULLIES
We have written articles about one of the most dreaded things in school or the workplace – bullies. A while back, our article “Bullying is a Problem for All Ages,” brought a response from someone who is bullied in what seems to be all facets of his/her work. It is hard to find the exact words to comfort and advise this person, as it seems he/she has tried about everything to remedy the situation. (I sincerely hope things are much better now.)
If you are in a work environment where you are constantly picked on, maybe the best thing to do is find another job. The cost of staying where you are may be higher than the cost of leaving. We’re not encouraging anyone to run away, we’re just saying there may be other options out there where you are not constantly subjected to someone who is manipulative, devious, and deceptive. Bullies get their start in school; we have offered advice to parents to be able to help their children know what to do to avoid the type of misery that bullies create.
Have you ever heard the saying, “Kill them with kindness?” Many times, a soft approach to a bully may be better than bristling up. They aren’t interested in anything that others think or feel, but rather in being a know-it-all, wrapped up in their own mini-world. I had a boss that thought he could build himself up by putting me and other coworkers down, especially in front of customers. Also, I worked with a lady that acted as though I was inferior to her, until one day, I got some backbone and finally stood up for myself; she was nice after that. I could list several ways that I let co-workers intimidate me, which I would handle differently if I could do it all over. But I can’t, so maybe this will help you overcome these uncomfortable times.
Don’t cower when someone treats you unkindly; be friendly, self-confident, calm, and assertive. Prepare yourself before you confront a bully. Let them know you are not going to be their target. Most “victims” are soft-hearted, gentile, unassertive, sensitive people. (I fit that bill a long time ago, maybe still do.) I don’t like confrontations, who does? But there comes a time when you decide you have as much right to come to work every day and be free from harassment as everyone else. You should establish a support group among your coworkers, and keep copies of everything – memos, emails, letters, that you have received from the person making your life miserable. Document everything, from the number of times, regularity, and patterns of the persecutions that happen. If it doesn’t stop, go to your supervisor or union representative.
Unfortunately, there are some companies that allow management to treat their employees in ways that are disrespectful, because those toughies seem to get more production out of their workers. In this case, if your boss is the bully, it may be difficult to overcome the situation you are in. You need to try to get along with your boss if possible. Follow the lead of a co-worker that seems to please him/her. If this is impossible, then do the best you can while looking for another place of employment. Management should not tolerate bullies; it should be unacceptable in any business that others should suffer, when it would be easier to terminate one bully, than lose several good employees. They might discover that employees are more productive when they are at ease.
You won’t be a victim of a bully if you work on your self-esteem, stand up for yourself, and are friendly, strong and assertive. You have as much right to be in your place of employment as the bully. Just do your job and try your best to ignore the person that never grew up after junior high school. Remember – you are above the level that he/she lives on.