At More U.S. Workplaces, Smokers Need Not Apply

Experts weigh in as another large health care provider decides to hire nonsmokers only

January 13, 2012 RSS Feed Print

"It's also an invasion of privacy," Siegel said. "I think what someone does in the privacy of their own home is really no business of the employer. It's basically saying it's perfectly okay for an employer to delve into any aspect of your personal life they want to. Once they go down this road, why not ask about their sexual practices, how many partners do you have -- it starts getting ridiculous."

Temple's Satti said the key to really help smokers quit is to make programs and medications easily available to them. "Why not hire the person as long as they promise to do the program?" he said. "Instead of punishing them, give them additional reasons to help them quit smoking."

More information

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to learn about tobacco-free workplaces.