Akron Children’s Hospital to stop hiring smokers

Starting Nov. 1, Akron Children’s Hospital will begin giving nicotine tests to prospective employees in an effort to no longer hire smokers (Source: “Children's Hospital won't hire smokers,” Akron Beacon-Journal, July 29, 2008). Current employees will not be affected by the new policy.

According to a 2006 survey conducted by the Society of Human Resource Management, just 1 percent of employers have a policy of not hiring smokers. Cleveland Clinic, Medical Mutual of Ohio and Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. are perhaps the highest profile Ohio companies to adopt such a policy in recent years.

While hospital officials say the policy was created to set an example for other companies and promote healthy lifestyles, they are likely to see financial savings as well. The average smoker costs a company $1,760 in lost productivity annually and $1,623 in excess medical expenses, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, Cleveland Clinic President and Chief Executive Dr. Delos M. ''Toby'' Cosgrove has said his organization's no-smoker policy saved about $7 million last year in reduced medical costs, less missed time and increased productivity.