By KINSEY SEACORD
A controversy is becoming increasingly apparent among hiring establishments. Denying employment to people who actively pollute the air with toxic fumes is quickly becoming popular throughout America. Smokers who are turned away from employment are filing complaints to government officials claiming they are being discriminated against. They argue they are protected under the Civil Rights Act of 1964; however, these ignorant individuals need to set down their cigarettes and pick up a Constitution.
In constitutional law, there is a concept called protected classes. Race, religion and sex are all classifications which qualify for protection against inequalities. The Civil Rights Act states that it is illegal to discriminate in any aspect of employment, including but not limited to: hiring, firing and pay. In other words, an employer could not fire an employee on the grounds of something such as his nationality.
In no way does this law protect smokers. They are not a protected class and therefore do not fit the qualifications of this safeguard. Smoking is a choice; it is a filthy one, but still one that can be changed, unlike the color of one’s skin.
Hospitals in Florida, such as Fish Memorial in Orange City and Waterman in Tavares, have openly stated they will not hire smokers on the pretense that healthcare organizations should be models for healthful behavior. Hiring smokers would clearly contradict this.
The hospitals’ standards of a sterile environment are undeniably demolished when a doctor returns from a smoke break. Even thoroughly scrubbed hands smell potent after a cigarette has been between them. One is left to wonder what effects smoking employees have on sick patients. Asthmatic and smell sensitive clients will always be susceptible to the reeking odor of smoke that clings to smokers’ skin and clothes. No patient would want a nauseatingly smelly nurse who just returned from a smoke break tending to him with yellow teeth. Having to put up with smoking when one is healthy is one thing, but smelling it when one is seeking medical help is another.
Not only does smoke leave behind a wretched smell that seems to never leave the skin or clothes of a smoker, but it also effects his appearance.
Individuals who partake in the practice of slowly poisoning their bodies are notoriously known to have stained teeth and rotten breath. Long time smokers develop dry yellow skin and wrinkles and are left looking as droopy as a basset hound. These are all wonderful physical traits that say to the customer “Yes, I’m happy to help.”
Establishments have the right to keep to a specific image. For example, a body building gym would not employ a grossly overweight man to promote their healthy body campaign. Image is everything in today’s society. Those in favor of hiring smokers say that practices outside of the workplace should not be a factor in the employment process because it is legal. Regardless, companies reserve the right to keep their workers looking and smelling pleasant. A hospital should have the ability to keep foul smelling individuals away from the innocent patients.
Smokers will soon face the reality of their situation; no one wants to hire people who look leathery and smell like a chimney. Establishments are not discriminating because a habit is not a protected class. Work places, such as hospitals, withhold the right to keep an appealing image befitting of their mission. It is time to nip the habit in the bud and stop bothering government officials who have better things to do.