This is too far. What people do on their own time is their business. Smoking is not illegal!
What about other habits? Are employers going to stop hiring people who eat fast food, because they might not be as healthy and co-workers might not like the smell of greasy fries? This is going to be costly for the tax payer when these firings are brought to the human rights Commision
Non smoker - 11 years ago
What if an smoker employee is a better productive than a non smoker....fire the no smoker ...or the smoker. Oh wait we have doggers and seniority rights...and of course some people start smoking later in life...lalalala...
LC - 11 years ago
Smoking is an addiction, not a choice. Smokers go through withdrawal while at work. That's why they become irritable and need a smoke by going outside - rain or shine. Who really wants to stand out there in the cold? It's not a choice. It's an addiction. Smokers tend to get more respiratory illnesses such as the cold or flu (in most)...That means more sick time - $. Also, co-workers (non-smokers) are breathing in the smokers' third-hand smoke (on their clothing and hair)...some of which cause cancer and allergic reactions. So employers do have a right to hire non-smokers, not only in terms of cost savings but also to promote workplace health. Employers have an obligation to protect the health of their employees, the majority whom are non-smokers.
Think Unbiased - 11 years ago
Okay, so let me ask you this question: Is it fair for companies to reject you for a job if you smoke marijuana? Why or why not? If you're inclined to respond, "Yes, because that's an illegal drug"; then does it mean consuming legal drugs while on the job is alright?
What about alcohol then? That's legal, so is it okay to consume alcohol while on the job? Why or why not? But wait, somebody may say: Oh, alcohol impairs your cognitive and physiological skills since it's a depressent and nicotine doesn't since it is a stimulant? How about I consume just a little alcohol so that I do not get drunk... and still function normally, just few sips every day. Is that okay to do on while on duty?
What about other stimlants like Cocaine, Ecstasy, Speed and Base, Ice and Methamphetamine. Are they okay, since they won't make me feel unproductive? Just because tobacco is legal doesn't make it right to consume everywhere, including on the job.
My point is where do we draw a line. I feel any kind of drug use, legal or illegal, should be prohibited from work places:
1) It sets a bad example to others.
2) It is not fair to allow one class of drug users consume while on the job while prohibiting others.
3) Leads to loss of productivity during smoke breaks, tobacco smell etc. Shouldn't then non-smokers be getting equal breaks too? And why would you reprimand somebody who hasn't showered and smells at workplace and not someone who smells of tobacco? That's discrimination.
When the whole world agrees solidly on the health deterioration caused by smoking, why shouldn't there be an effort to limit, minimize or dissuade those who smoke. It'll result in a healthier and more productive workforce.
KEITH ROSE - 11 years ago
I THINK ITS WORSE AND MORE WASTED TIME FOR EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE TO ALLOW
PEOPLE TO TAKE 5 PRAYER BREAKS A DAY DURING WORK HOURS
Ls - 11 years ago
I clicked no and I'm a non-smoker!! It's ridiculous!
KOF604 - 11 years ago
Do people crying foul realize how much time is wasted by the average worker taking smoke breaks? Unlike things like race, sex, handicaps, sexual preferences, that are rightfully protected under discrimination laws, smoking is a choice and if you want to be hired by a company that only hires non-smoker then quit smoking!
Companies should not be handcuffed by your habit.
HM - 11 years ago
I'm a non-smoker and I clicked Yes. The whole idea is ridiculous.
Ron - 11 years ago
I think you should be allowed I have worked in both types of places, and I am currently in a non-smoking environment, and would have a hard time working with someone who smokes, nor should my health be jeopardized by some one who does.
I find that when I did work with others who did smoke they were always out having a puff because of their addiction and spent less time doing their jobs and they had more sick time. If I were the owner of a business why shouldn't I be allowed to say no to smokers
DC - 11 years ago
I used to smoke and I do not agree with being discriminated for smoking is fair.
What next??? Your eye color.
G - 11 years ago
This is pure discrimination.
What about people who drink?
Or people who drive to work?
Or people who don’t look or talk a specific way.
What people do on their own free time should not be a company’s business.
It is NOT illegal to smoke.
nick - 11 years ago
how many people who clicked NO are smokers? I bet you 75%+ are.
This is too far. What people do on their own time is their business. Smoking is not illegal!
What about other habits? Are employers going to stop hiring people who eat fast food, because they might not be as healthy and co-workers might not like the smell of greasy fries? This is going to be costly for the tax payer when these firings are brought to the human rights Commision
What if an smoker employee is a better productive than a non smoker....fire the no smoker ...or the smoker. Oh wait we have doggers and seniority rights...and of course some people start smoking later in life...lalalala...
Smoking is an addiction, not a choice. Smokers go through withdrawal while at work. That's why they become irritable and need a smoke by going outside - rain or shine. Who really wants to stand out there in the cold? It's not a choice. It's an addiction. Smokers tend to get more respiratory illnesses such as the cold or flu (in most)...That means more sick time - $. Also, co-workers (non-smokers) are breathing in the smokers' third-hand smoke (on their clothing and hair)...some of which cause cancer and allergic reactions. So employers do have a right to hire non-smokers, not only in terms of cost savings but also to promote workplace health. Employers have an obligation to protect the health of their employees, the majority whom are non-smokers.
Okay, so let me ask you this question: Is it fair for companies to reject you for a job if you smoke marijuana? Why or why not? If you're inclined to respond, "Yes, because that's an illegal drug"; then does it mean consuming legal drugs while on the job is alright?
What about alcohol then? That's legal, so is it okay to consume alcohol while on the job? Why or why not? But wait, somebody may say: Oh, alcohol impairs your cognitive and physiological skills since it's a depressent and nicotine doesn't since it is a stimulant? How about I consume just a little alcohol so that I do not get drunk... and still function normally, just few sips every day. Is that okay to do on while on duty?
What about other stimlants like Cocaine, Ecstasy, Speed and Base, Ice and Methamphetamine. Are they okay, since they won't make me feel unproductive? Just because tobacco is legal doesn't make it right to consume everywhere, including on the job.
My point is where do we draw a line. I feel any kind of drug use, legal or illegal, should be prohibited from work places:
1) It sets a bad example to others.
2) It is not fair to allow one class of drug users consume while on the job while prohibiting others.
3) Leads to loss of productivity during smoke breaks, tobacco smell etc. Shouldn't then non-smokers be getting equal breaks too? And why would you reprimand somebody who hasn't showered and smells at workplace and not someone who smells of tobacco? That's discrimination.
When the whole world agrees solidly on the health deterioration caused by smoking, why shouldn't there be an effort to limit, minimize or dissuade those who smoke. It'll result in a healthier and more productive workforce.
I THINK ITS WORSE AND MORE WASTED TIME FOR EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE TO ALLOW
PEOPLE TO TAKE 5 PRAYER BREAKS A DAY DURING WORK HOURS
I clicked no and I'm a non-smoker!! It's ridiculous!
Do people crying foul realize how much time is wasted by the average worker taking smoke breaks? Unlike things like race, sex, handicaps, sexual preferences, that are rightfully protected under discrimination laws, smoking is a choice and if you want to be hired by a company that only hires non-smoker then quit smoking!
Companies should not be handcuffed by your habit.
I'm a non-smoker and I clicked Yes. The whole idea is ridiculous.
I think you should be allowed I have worked in both types of places, and I am currently in a non-smoking environment, and would have a hard time working with someone who smokes, nor should my health be jeopardized by some one who does.
I find that when I did work with others who did smoke they were always out having a puff because of their addiction and spent less time doing their jobs and they had more sick time. If I were the owner of a business why shouldn't I be allowed to say no to smokers
I used to smoke and I do not agree with being discriminated for smoking is fair.
What next??? Your eye color.
This is pure discrimination.
What about people who drink?
Or people who drive to work?
Or people who don’t look or talk a specific way.
What people do on their own free time should not be a company’s business.
It is NOT illegal to smoke.
how many people who clicked NO are smokers? I bet you 75%+ are.