LORAIN — Community Health Partners has become the latest employer to declare it won’t hire smokers or people who use tobacco or nicotine products.

The new policy takes effect Sept. 1.

Prospective employees will have to confirm on their application that they do not use tobacco and will also be screened for tobacco or nicotine use in drug testing.

While the policy will not affect current employees, they will receive assistance in quitting tobacco such as smoking cessation classes and discounts on products such as Chantix and Nicoderm.

“In order for us to instill healthy habits in our patients, we must first lead by example,” said Edwin Oley, CHP president and CEO, in a statement released Wednesday. “We recognize that smoking is a highly addictive habit and want to assist our associates in making a positive change in their lives.”

The policy of not hiring tobacco users has been gaining traction in recent years. Ohio employers with such a policy in place include the Cleveland Clinic, Medical Mutual of Ohio, Scotts Miracle-Gro, the Cincinnati Zoo and Summa Health System.

Ohio is one of 20 states that does not have any laws banning employers from considering tobacco use in hiring decisions.

CHP has banned tobacco use on its campuses since 2007.

Contact Melissa Hebert at 329-7129 or mhebert@chroniclet.com.

---

Print this story
Report an inappropriate comment

---

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.

Need help? Email Us.

---