Smoking could stop you from getting a job

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Toss the tobacco if you want to work for Premier Health Partners . The local health care provider is redefining its mission and changing who it hires.

Job seekers we caught up with at the Job Center Friday were scouring websites, looking for employment.

They probably aren't thinking that if they are a smoker, it could stop them from getting a job.

"The nature of health care in this country is changing," said Bill Linesch, Vice President of Human Resources for Premier Health Partners.

Beginning January 1, 2013, if you smoke, dip or chew tobacco, you will not be hired to work at any of Premier's four hospitals or its satellite locations.

"We're a health care provide. We need to stand for healthy behavior and healthy lifestyles," said Linesch.

Premier's theory is, as a community health partner, its employees should be as healthy as possible and the proven link between tobacco use and heart disease, cancer, stroke and pulmonary disease means, the company is taking a hard line in its hiring practices.

Linesch says the company's mandate also considered employee productivity and rising employee health care costs. He says potential candidates will be medically screened, but the new mandate does not include current employees.