By Ben Block
Staff writer
A cigarette drag is no longer just a health risk; it’s a career liability.
More businesses and organizations are including whether a person smokes tobacco into employment considerations and workplace policies, creating a potential threat for university graduates who smoke.
The increased chance for lung and heart disease associated with tobacco has led to growing health insurance costs. Rising rates coupled with a growing belief that smoking lowers worker productivity is leading more employers not to hire smokers and ban smoking in or around the workplace.
“Employers are becoming aware that smokers are costing them,” said Michael Tacelosky, the co-founder of Smoke Free D.C., an advocacy group lobbying for smoking bans in all Washington bars and restaurants. “It’s more expensive because of the breaks they take and the health cost – they get sick more.”
This year, Michigan-based Weyco Inc. began randomly nicotine-testing its employees. They joined businesses such as national railroad company Union Pacific, the World Health Organization and Alaska Airlines.
The Washington-based airline company has required all new employees to be nicotine-free for six months prior to being hired since 1985.
“Alaska Airlines has taken a pro-active stance on the issue for more than 20 years. We’re certainly proud about this,” said Amanda Tobin, a company spokeswoman. The majority of the business’ employees are grateful for the smoker-free environment, she said.
Kimball Physics in New Hampshire bans any tobacco residuals from entering company grounds, so employees not only can’t smoke at work, but also can’t smoke within two hours of coming to work.
Stephanie White, a junior psychology major, argues her smoking habit does not have a detrimental effect on the workplace, but instead improves her productivity.
“If I don’t have a cigarette, after a while I get out of it,” White said. “After I have one, I’m far more efficient.”
Often times coworkers are frustrated when their fellow employees can get away with smoking on the job.
Hilary Rudner, a senior psychology major, said fellow employees at a former job were still being paid during their cigarette breaks.
“I don’t think [smokers] shouldn’t be allowed to work,” Rudner said. “But when taking a smoke break, if they’re still getting paid, I don’t think it’s fair.”
At least 6,000 companies have a bias against smokers, according to the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Workrights Institute, which considers the bias as discriminatory and a breach of workers’ privacy.
“It’s certainly true that smoking isn’t good for your health – but there’s very little you do in your life that doesn’t affect your health. Smoking just happens to be a politically easy target,” said Jeremy Gruber, the institute’s legal director. “Once we let employees look into private lives and make decisions on experiences, it is truly antithetical to a free and democratic society.”
In 25 states and Washington – not including Maryland – employers are not allowed to reject a potential employee only because of a smoking habit. On the federal level it is allowed.
Even if no law exists, some say any indication that an applicant smokes will reduce their chances of getting hired.
“It’s an issue more in the way of interviewing. Someone who is a smoker will give off a less favorable perception,” said Kelly Dolan, the tobacco program specialist at the American Lung Association’s Maryland chapter.
Michael Garel, a junior history major, tries to refrain from smoking before a job interview. He showers and sprays himself with body sprays such as Axe to further mask the odor.
“I know employers don’t like it if you smoke, so I make sure I never smell like cigarettes,” he said while smoking outside Stamp Student Union.
During an interview, students should not ask potential employers about their tobacco policy because it may be considered inappropriate, said Pamela Allen, a Career Center program director.
“That’s something you might want to investigate informally,” Allen said. “Ask employees or see what other people are doing.”
The smoke and tar cigarettes emit can linger in smokers’ clothing and hair, even after they shower, said Kendra Smoak, the University Health Center’s coordinator for substance abuse and prevention programs.
“You can wash your hair everyday, but if you smoke a pack-plus a day the smell will still be there,” Smoak said.
Contact reporter Ben Block at blockdbk@gmail.com.