Smokers need not apply?

[RainMom]

So I've reached my 2 year mark & getting a little restless, toying with the idea of moving into a different dept or facility. I was looking at a website for another hospital & they have posted that they will no longer hire anyone that uses nicotine which will be screened for during the employment physical. Not an issue for me, but I found the bold underlined statement a little jarring. I understand that in healthcare we want to promote healthy lifestyles, but dictating personal legal habits to employees is a bit of a push don't you think? Is this common in other areas & just reaching my neck of the woods?

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

Also wanted to add this. If an employee wants to take a smoke break they are required to clock in and out for that break, and go off the property. If an employee wants to take a regular non smoking break or lunch break they are NOT required to clock in and out for that. Just doesn't make sense.

You're really comparing smoking a carcinogen to eating lunch....really???

No offense, but I get ticked off when I hear smokers try to make excuses for their bad habits or compare their bad habits to try to justify themselves. You can't compare eating, a basic human need, to smoking, a well-known cancer-causing poison. Humans HAVE to eat to survive, but smoking (even second-hand smoking) kills. So please, stop right there.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

What in the world would EVER make them a protected class?

Some smokers in this thread apparently.

I'm glad they aren't. Not only do they hurt themselves with their behavior, they also hurt other people (via second-hand smoking) and the environment. And I think it is laughable that smoking breaks are being compared to constitutional rights and lunch breaks...really? Come on now. Ridiculous!

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

Same here. Every single person I've confessed my dirty secret to was surprised. I also don't think smoking belongs at a hospital...even on break, but when I get off I'm lighting up if I choose!

What people are complaining about here....the extra breaks, smell etc are all non issues if your facility is tobacco free....

I've never taken an extra break or expected any special treatment because of my habit.

My facility is a smoke-free zone, but that doesn't stop people from sneaking off across the street to take a puff or three. I have no problem with people taking snack and bathroom breaks, however.

[SoundRN7]

You're really comparing smoking a carcinogen to eating lunch....really???

No offense, but I get ticked off when I hear smokers try to make excuses for their bad habits or compare their bad habits to try to justify themselves. You can't compare eating, a basic human need, to smoking, a well-known cancer-causing poison. Humans HAVE to eat to survive, but smoking (even second-hand smoking) kills. So please, stop right there.

No, I was not comparing smoking to eating....really. Of course humans need to eat. I was also not making excuses or trying to justify myself. SMH

[SoundRN7]

My facility is a smoke-free zone, but that doesn't stop people from sneaking off across the street to take a puff or three. I have no problem with people taking snack and bathroom breaks, however.

At my facility the only reason someone would need to clock in and out for a break is if they were going to go out to smoke. There are some who take a break and go shopping at the mall next to work and they don't have to clock in and out for that. So they are getting paid to shop, not each lunch or take a bathroom break. That doesn't make sense to me. Guess I should have added that in my original post.

[ComeTogether, LPN]

Again.... the issue is ignorant smokers who take extra breaks and put extra stress on their coworkers. I'm all for banning it all together at work...I think that's a better solution than trying to ban smokers all together. If you aren't indulging at work and stinking up the place because of smoke breaks (and I do feel like its not appropriaye to see patients while emitting the classic stale ciggarette scent) I don't see the need to dictate what can and can't be done at home.

Fine...raise health insurance costs....deny coverage even but to base employment on wheather or not someone does a legal activity in their off time is, in my opinion, totally insane.

Why not deny employment to chronic drinkers also then? Or obese people who eat ho hos while they have type 2 diabetes? What about people who drive without wearing a seatbelt?

Some argue the smell is on you no matter what you do but I'm sorry thats not always true. People who wreak like ashtrays likely smike in their homes and cars and dont open the windows. Yes if you've recetly had a ciggarette you will smell like one. If its been hours and you've washed your hands and used sanitizer...maybe a dab of lotion... not so much.

My point is.....for all our bad choices....If its not engaged in at work creating problems for everyone it shouldn't matter.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

I think its crap. Especially since theyre not just saying no tobacco but no nicotine either. They should also say no caffiene or adhd meds too while they're at it.

I do t think an employer should have the right to dictate what you do in your off time. Sure, no smoking on the grounds, no extra breaks, higher health insurance rates if you smoke even. (and if you are t2 diabetic obese etc while were at it) but to tell someone what they can and can't do in their own home is insane, provided its legal.

I think its a stupid policy and I think if we start here its only a matter of time before hospitals wont hire overweight people etc.

Addiction sucks.

They aren't telling you what you can do in your home at all. They are simply telling you that if you smoke, you can move on down the street to another employer. Which is entirely within their rights in this wonderful free country. You can smoke, drink, do drugs, eat Cheetos to your hearts content...but they don't have to hire you.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Personally, I'm for a smoke free zone. I'm one who will certainly be triggered with an airway reaction, only when one lights up. :)

I was a teen smoker. A chain smoker...I quit when I was in my 20s. I have also heard that saying that smoking is harder to quit than heroin...I knew someone who told me it took her 10 times to quit....and she turned to food to fulfill that craving. She gained weight, and was able to lose that weight-from quitting smoking and using food as a replacement.

I have and do work around smokers that have not smelled like smoke or menthol.

I have known smokers who smell absolutely horrible to the point that's when they sweat, they smell like old, dirty smoke from an ashtray...not fun to be around.

On the other hand, there is a risk of cutting out talented professionals who are and can be great assets to a team; this policy should make sense, in turn that the company should alert the person of the disciplinary policy in place if caught smoking, and have a choice to quit; the person then decides whether it is worth it to apply or accept the position.

Smokers are free to choose to smoke; HOWEVER, smokers don't have a leg to stand in when talking about at least obese individuals; not everyone who is obese is be see in overeating ; when you have lack of access of healthy choices, lack of healthcare to help with health education, or a hormonal problem or replace food when they were former addicts and have coping issues (lack of access to a healthcare professional), or a severe medical issue where one is bed bound, then at least don't compare it to the person that "eats ho-hos"....unless one is privy to that information...like, KNOW and are feeding said obese individual the ho-hos daily; which we are not.

No one is rubbing in ones face that smoking is deadly; they are aware of the risks...and it's not just the smoker, it's second hand smoke...it effects individuals, and it does rise to a certain responsibility and respect when smoke is emitted into the air.

BTW Alcoholics don't like when the public, ESPECIALLY bartenders tell them that they are drinking too much. It's not just smokers.

Just my two cents...

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

I have to admit, I get annoyed by some coworkers who smoke. I work with so many CNAs that smoke it isn't funny. (for some reason, there's always way fewer nurses who smoke) and I've noticed that LTC has a higher percentage of smokers than hospitals. Really, what's up with all the LTC CNAs that smoke?

It's not the smell, it's that they feel the need to take so many breaks. And all their breaks are outside, where I can't reach them easily. I mean, seriously, 4-5 smoke breaks during an eight hour shift?

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I had no problem getting through my shifts without smoking. I actually am ashamed of it and have tried and teied and tried to quit. I would chew nicotine gum or wear a patch. Not one person knew I smoked.

I wouldn't count on that. If you smoke a cigarette after you have gotten up and showered, you smell of cigarettes, I don't care how many mints you eat or how much gum, etc. Smokers have a distinctive breath smell also, no matter how you try to disguise it. Smokers often find this hard to believe, because their sense of smell is affected by years of smoking, but people who don't smoke can smell even the smallest hint of smoke. Just because not everyone called you on your habit doesn't mean that "no one" knew you smoked. I recently noticed the smell of cigarette smoke on a coworker. I never said a word, would never say a word. If she said that she smoked and no one every knew, I would not likely contradict her, even though she would be wrong.

It's really almost impossible to hide the fact that you are a smoker unless you are only smoking once a week or something. Even if you were able to eradicate it from your breath with mints (and you really can't), it's in your hair, your clothes, your skin.

I'm sorry, but that's the truth.

[krwrnbsn]

So If I dont smoke dont drink, dont do drugs and get a flu shot will I get my insurance free?[/quote']

Ha! No, good try though.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I wouldn't count on that. If you smoke a cigarette after you have gotten up and showered, you smell of cigarettes, I don't care how many mints you eat or how much gum, etc. Smokers have a distinctive breath smell also, no matter how you try to disguise it. Smokers often find this hard to believe, because their sense of smell is affected by years of smoking, but people who don't smoke can smell even the smallest hint of smoke. Just because not everyone called you on your habit doesn't mean that "no one" knew you smoked. I recently noticed the smell of cigarette smoke on a coworker. I never said a word, would never say a word. If she said that she smoked and no one every knew, I would not likely contradict her, even though she would be wrong.

It's really almost impossible to hide the fact that you are a smoker unless you are only smoking once a week or something. Even if you were able to eradicate it from your breath with mints (and you really can't), it's in your hair, your clothes, your skin.

I'm sorry, but that's the truth.

Agree. As a Home Health nurse, I walk into a home and immediately know if there are smokers in the house... even if no one physically smokes IN the house. I can smell it from a mile away.