Daily Talker: Nicotine-Free Hiring

A local hospital has a new policy that has a lot of people talking today.

UMass Memorial Hospital Marlborough has begun a "nicotine-free" hiring policy.

The MetroWest Daily News reports that effective as of Oct. 1, all incoming employees will be subjected to drug testing for nicotine.

The newspaper also reports that new applicants must consent to a urine test which will look for nicotine alongside numerous illegal narcotics.  Those who test positive won't be hired.

Those who test positive can't work at the hospital.

"Hiring nicotine-free employees is part of a larger effort to be a role model in our community by setting a healthy example," said Francis Meringolo, vice president of human resources, told the MetroWest Daily News. "Recruiting and hiring employees who practice healthy lifestyle behaviors are extremely important to our organization."

Do you think an employer should be allowed to reject a job applicant if that person is a smoker?

Leave your comments below, or on Facebook or Twitter using #WBZTalker.