Is it discriminatory for an employer to have a nonsmoking hiring policy?

[Oceandevi]

Tobacco is still a legal product. I think this is illegal discrimination, or it should be.
Employers have way too much power in this country.

Dude totally. I wish our government would tell employers who to hire and fire, and what wages are set at.

 

[bctbct]

Are you implying that the majority of smokers are more productive than non-smokers? I have to respectfully disagree based on years of experience as a supervisor and manager.

No I am saying with my years of experience supervising and managing that I look at employee performance for what it really is and not with a predisposed notion.

I have had many smokers out perform non-smokers.

 

[SnipeMasterJ13]

Hey I look after a lot of people who have sports related injuries at the hospital, broken bones cost a lot to fix.
Using your logic we should only allow people to use exercise bikes while wearing protective clothing, no contact sports or anything outdoors.

I don't really want to get in the middle of this, but the logic behind that does not apply to sports examples. In sports people are WILLINGLY PARTICIPATING. If they get hurt, that happens as it's part of the game. There are known risks, and they accept that.

However, if an athlete wearing full pads tackles you at full speed while you are wandering down the sidewalk, you probably wouldn't like that. What if you get tackled 3-5 times a day? Is that their right to do that because it's their choice?

Personally, I don't care who smokes or doesn't as long as it doesn't affect me. People obviously know the risks of smoking and accept it, so more power to them. What irritates me more is when people use absolutely ridiculous argument tactics that make no sense. I realize there aren't really any solid arguments behind smoking in particular other than "because I like it" but come on, at least try. Making wild exaggerations doesn't help your case.

 

[1prophet]

That's still the individual's choice. Not the government, not corporations, not anybody but the person involved. The same argument can be made for potato chips, cheesecake, driving, or whitewater paddling. The user makes the risk assessment, and acts accordingly.

When the corporations use proven psychological tricks to increase their user base for their harmful products they indeed bear responsibility along with the user for the after effects.

Don't believe me, then start here http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8953172273825999151#

It requires a person with a strong will and discipline in order to say no to themselves and their bad habits as well as being able to resist the constant psychological bombardment from
corporate advertising which uses ones own irrational impulses and desires against them.

Very easy to blame individuals by saying it's their fault and throw words around like personal responsibility and freedom to choose when most lack the discipline and will to resist bad choices.

 

[evilbix]

nope. smoking is a choice. An applicant could quit smoking for a job. Discrimination is imo, acting against something that can't be changed.

Religion is as much of a choice as smoking. I was born in a roman catholic family and brought up so, now I am atheist. I made a choice that religion was useless.

Smokers have the same choice but no protection. Same thing goes for fatties that drink soda. Should soda be banned from the workplace, and even out of work?

How about caffeine? No more morning coffee for anyone because it costs work places billions a year in mid-day crashes.

This is a VERY slippery slope.

 

[kalrith]

only a minor detail if they hold the same regard to drinkers. alcohol is a drug that causes many health issues as well, yet no one bitches about them. all or none, like someone above stated.

While drinking in excess can create health problems, having 1-2 glasses of wine every evening has been proven to have health benefits. Does smoking 1-2 cigarettes have health benefits? Nope.

Also, how many smokers do you know who have 5-10 cigarettes per week? It's much more common to have people who drink a responsible amount of alcohol compared to people who smoke a "responsible" amount of cigarettes. I would venture to say that smoking 5-10 cigarettes per week would cause many more problems than drinking 5-10 beers or glasses of wine per week.