To the Editor
Tacoma hospital group to refuse jobs to smokers (2/11/11) reports that Franciscan Health System will not hire applicants with nicotine in their system. There is evidence that smoking increases health care costs. However, there no evidence that using nicotine from non-combusted sources increases health-care costs. Thus, there is no justification for denying employment based on nicotine testing.
Thirty percent of those who used nicotine gum to achieve smoking abstinence continue to use the gum long-term. In effect, Franciscan Health System would be punishing these former smokers solely based on the method they used to achieve and maintain smoking abstinence. In Sweden 66% of male smokers who used snus as a single smoking cessation aid managed to quit smoking completely. Swedish snus is a type of moist snuff treated to remove carcinogens. Research shows that these switchers live just as long as former smokers who gave up all use of tobacco. Like snus, other modern smoke-free tobacco products such as orbs and electronic cigarettes eliminate the harmful tar, carbon monoxide, particulates, and thousands of chemicals found in smoke. These products are also very low in carcinogens.
In clinical trials of nicotine replacement products it is impossible to verify smoking status by measuring nicotine. Instead, researchers measure exhaled carbon monoxide, because this test differentiates between smokers and those with nicotine from less harmful sources in their system. If the Franciscan Health System refuses to change its testing method, perhaps some enterprising attorney can organize a class action suit on behalf of former smokers denied employment because they use an effective method to prevent relapsing to smoking.
s under the Americans with Disabilities Act...
