Debating ‘no smoker’ hiring policies

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Guests: Harald Schmidt, David Asch

Smokers need not apply to the University of Pennsylvania Health System starting this July when a ban on hiring nicotine users will go into effect.  Penn Health system says this policy is an effort to improve worker wellness and reduce health care costs.  In recent years a growing number of employers — particularly hospitals — are refusing to hire smokers but is it ethical to single them out?  And what about other unhealthy and risky behaviors like overeating or alcohol? This hour, we’ll debate worker smoking bans with two University of Pennsylvania researchers.  Guest host Tracey Matisak talks with DAVID ASCH, a physician and the Executive Director of Penn Medicine Center for Innovation who supports the ban and HARALD SCHMIDT, a lecturer in the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy University of Pennsylvania who opposes.

AP Photo/Misha Japaridze

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