Certain employers might prefer to avoid hiring nicotine users:
smokers, dippers and vapers alike. U-Haul International Inc. will
do so, with its policy going into effect on Feb. 1.
Thus, this is an opportune moment to examine why employers might
consider doing likewise, the legal ramifications of such policies
and the alternatives to healthier workforces.
Is there practical merit to such a ban?
On its face, there is a business case to be made. Studies have
shown that nicotine use is detrimental to one's health. A
simple Google search reveals an array of health issues linked to
tobacco, such as cancer, respiratory diseases and cardiovascular
diseases. Headlines further reveal grave risks with vaping. Plus,
studies have shown that smokers take more breaks and miss more days
of work than their nonsmoking colleagues do.
