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Action on Smoking and Health
A National Legal-Action Antismoking Organization Entirely Supported by Tax-Deductible Contributions
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Despite Claims of "Lifestyle Discrimination", North Carolina's Atlantic Beach Decides to Stop Hiring Smokers [03/10/06-2]
Excerpts from: Smokers Are Calling it "Lifestyle Discrimination", Fox 30 WAWS [02/26/06]
The city of Atlantic Beach says if you like your cigarettes and want a job with the city not to hold your breath. Atlantic Beach decided people who use tobacco products are costing them too much in health care but it's an issue that's firing up some smokers.
In a day when money is always the bottom line, the city of Atlantic Beach is taking a good look at who costs them the most bucks. They say smokers cost a lot more than non-smokers to provide health insurance for and it's really an issue of trying to keep the cost of government down.
Now anyone that applies for a job with Atlantic Beach will be tested for nicotine. There's even a chance that you won't be hired if you test positive due to second hand smoke. Employees will also have to sign a statement promising they have not smoked in the last year and will not smoke while they are employed by the city.
This new policy does not affect current employees that are smokers. City managers say they hope those employees will stay healthy as well.
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