Smokers are the butt of a new sheriff's department policy. Riverside County has voted unanimously to ban hiring new sheriff’s deputies who smoke.

This policy is in force in Ventura County. Now the Riverside County Board of Supervisors has agreed to adopt the no smoking policy for its new deputies.
 
Along with the rigorous training, a Riverside County deputy must pass the physical agility test and have a clean criminal record.

But before he or she can even get here, they must also have a clean bill of health.

"They're not supposed to smoke at all. If they smoke, they run the risk of their health, which could put them out of work temporarily or permanently."

The board of supervisors voted to ban the hiring of any new deputy who smokes.

"It is an attempt to control those costs and protect the health of the county. Public health the costs are very severe."

Each year, the county says it shells out more than ten million dollars in worker’s compensation. That's in the sheriff's department alone. The county pins that cost on smoking-related illnesses.

"We could debate whether people have the right to damage their own health at the expense of tax payers and perhaps damage the health of people around them."

Sheriff Deputy John Kaiser says the sheriff's department agreed with decision to implement the no smoking policy, saying you have to be fit to meet the demands of the job.

"They have to be fit for the possibility of physical activity during their shifts. Some are working various hours and through the night."

Critics argue that this new policy amounts to discrimination against smokers. But the county says there are special considerations in hiring peace officers to protect public safety.

"I'm not too concerned with smoker’s rights. We're concerned with controlling costs and protecting health of public employees."

No word yet on when this new policy will actually take effect

The county says any new deputy will be asked to sign a contract saying he or she will no longer smoke any form of tobacco or illegal substance. A breach of that will result in immediate termination.

The county is also considering extending the no-smoking policy to all of its employees.