Emily Bregel Chattanooga Times Free Press Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:42 EST
Memorial Hospital carves out plan to emphasize health focus
As if higher tobacco taxes, steeper health insurance premiums and smoke-free workplaces weren't enough, tobacco users have one more financial incentive to kick the habit - missed job opportunities.
Starting Feb. 1, Memorial Hospital no longer will hire people who use tobacco products, making the hospital one of a small number of employers nationwide that consider smoking status in job applicants.
Under the new rule, which does not affect current Memorial employees, those offered employment at the hospital will be tested for nicotine during their required drug test, a human resources officer said. Even nicotine gum or the patch would make a potential employee ineligible.
The decision not to hire tobacco users isn't based on potential savings in health care costs, but rather is an extension of the hospital's commitment to health, said Brad Pope, vice president of human resources. Like all hospitals in the region, Memorial's entire hospital campus is tobacco-free.
More at: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2010/jan/18/smokers-need-not-apply-job/
Does Second-Hand Smoke Really Void Apple's Warranty?
David Coursey pcworld Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 EST
? Unknown Now, I am as much against smoking as anyone. I also do not want workers needlessly exposed to hazardous substances. Still, for Apple to deny warranty claims on Macs exposed to cigarette smoke seems way over the line.
Yet, that is what The Consumerist says Apple has done on at least two occasions in recent months.
Apple is apparently telling at least some customers that the amount of cigarette smoke residue inside their computers makes it unsafe for the company to perform warranty service on them, despite the lack of such a clause in the company's warranty agreement.
UK: Smoking ban could be extended to cover office doorways
Alastair Jamieson and Kate Devlin The Daily Telegraph Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:46 EST
Smokers could be pushed further out into the cold under new government plans to extend the cigarette ban outdoors to include entrances to workplaces, bus shelters and pub beer gardens.
Andy Burnham, the health secretary, will review the current law to see if it should be strengthened to include areas where smokers have gathered since the 2007 ban.
Plain packaging for cigarettes and a complete ban on cigarette vending machines could also be introduced.
Mr Burnham said he wants to halve the number of smokers in England from one fifth (21%) of the population to one in 10 by 2020.
More at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/alastair-jamieson/7120319/Smoking-ban-could-be-extended-to-cover-office-doorways.html
