Smoke? Chew? UPenn Health System Doesn’t Want You


NBC 10 reports:

The University of Pennsylvania Health System(UPHS) plans to stop hiring tobacco-users in the coming months. The ban goes into effect July 1 and applies to all UPHS locations, with the exception of those in New Jersey, according to the health system.

“As a world-class health system, we should not only educate our patients regarding healthy lifestyle choices, but serve as a model of health for the community, as well,” UPHS Vice President for Organization Development & Human Resources Judy L. Schueler says. Health benefit costs are also cited as a reason for the new policy.

“We know based upon national studies that those who use tobacco products have a higher incidence of absence, and have higher claims on health care insurance,” Schueler says.

While it’s stupid to smoke, one does wonder where this ends. Will they stop hiring people who overreat? Who have an extra glass of wine with dinner? When does the line get crossed too often?