Since scrutiny has a history of following in the footsteps of boldness, we should not be surprised that passionate public debate has followed Memorial Hospital’s decision to stop hiring applicants who use tobacco products.
While hospitals here and around the country have banned the use of tobacco products on their campuses, most aren’t denying job opportunities based on evidence of tobacco usage. Thus, Memorial’s plan has generated headlines across the nation.
Locally, almost 1,000 people responded to an online Times Free Press poll asking if it is discriminatory for an employer to have a policy of hiring only nonsmokers. Results, though nonscientific, showed an evenly divided public. In addition to those results were dozens of passionate online comments that also suggest a divided public.
For every person who thinks Memorial’s policy is discriminatory, another thinks it’s a leading-edge decision that other health care providers should follow. People on both sides make valid points.
Some who commented said Memorial is discriminating, since tobacco is legal in the United States for those over age 18. Others said smoking is dangerous and addictive, and anything that helps people quit, including a hospital’s hiring policy, is a good move.