Westmoreland Co. hopes smoking surcharge will lead to healthier choices
County officials said the surcharge will help offset rising health insurance costs and to encourage workers to live healthier lifestyles.
The three county commissioners, none of whom smoke, signed off on the surcharge plan.
"It encourages healthy behavior for our employees, which is the goal for them. Also, it should help lower long-term health care costs, which is good for taxpayers," said Commissioner
Workers were notified of the policy change this week and will have access to online smoking cessation classes through the remainder of the year and four in-person classes starting in October.
The surcharges are permitted under the Affordable Care Act, which allows employers to assess smokers added fees of up to 50 percent of insurance premiums, according
The county will implement fees that charge smokers who use tobacco products four times a week
Burgess said employees will have to submit affidavits in which they identify themselves as smokers or affirm that they do not use tobacco products.
Employers who claim to not be smokers but are caught using tobacco products could face discipline, according to Burgess.
"There is no smoking police. It's on the honor system," Burgess said.
Burgess said negotiations with four of the county's smaller collective bargaining units are ongoing, and the smoking surcharge is expected to be a key part of those talks.
The county's largest unions -- the
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