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Maria_Stephanos's Blog

by Maria_Stephanos from Dedham, MA

Last Post 3 days, 5 hours Ago


Butt OUT!
Jul 30, 2008 | 7:11 PM
Category: News
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It's happening in Ohio. And I don't like it. I don't smoke, I hate smelling it, tasting it, but this is just wrong. A Children's Hospital has decided that starting in November the hospital won't hire anyone who tests positive for nicotine. This hospital banned smoking there two years ago. And now they are refusing to hire smokers. Listen, these people aren't smoking in the hospital. So, what's the problem? They can smoke in their private life. As long as they don't smoke on the job, I don't see the problem. A children's hospital spokesperson said the smoking ban promotes healthy living. If I have a nurse or a doctor who comes into my hospital room and can save my life, I don't CARE if they smoke in the privacy of theirs. Just don't do it in front of me. And you say what?

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Member Comments Total Comments: 95
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BOSTONANGEL read my blog
Jul 30, 2008 | 7:58 PM

I AGREE 100%it does not matter if one is too smoke at home..like you said as long as it's not on hospital propertey.as long as the doctor or nurse is doing there job that is all that should matter!!them smoking has no effect on us.it's thier thing you know...it's not like their drinking or taking drugs befoure there shift....now that would be a whole nother story.
Xantun read my blog view my photos
Jul 30, 2008 | 8:00 PM

Maria, unfortunately, this is just the latest place to have this practice...It's being done in other job areas as well.

I'm with you in that I don't care what someone's legal "bad" habits are off the clock...If someone I'm dealing with knows their job, then it's none of my business if they smoke or enjoy a drink or two when off the clock.
Chip read my blog view my photos
Jul 30, 2008 | 8:17 PM

It is their right to hire whom they want. The population of competent folks sure diminished though.
Dory read my blog view my photos
Jul 30, 2008 | 8:20 PM

Maria, I agree with you. What people do behind closed doors is their business!!!! As long as they are able to help us all get well, and to perform their jobs to the best of their ability, then they should be left alone!!!!! Yet another form of discrimination we have to deal with and shouldn't have to put up with!!!!
preetyboy08
Jul 30, 2008 | 8:21 PM

I see your point. It doesn't make a differrence if they smoke or not. As long they are the person for the job they shouldn't be judge for what they chose to smoke on their private live. U raise a good point.
shanniesdad
Jul 30, 2008 | 8:31 PM

Maria; I am a firefighter, and a condition of our employment is No Smoking. Smokers have a higher rate of sickness, and the probibility of them using more sick time is higher. They smell like cig and smoke, which is offensive to some people, like wearing too much perfume or cologne. They probably take more breaks during work to go outside to light up. If this is a hiring condition, then the person need not work there. it would be wrong to lay-off a long time employee for it, but a new hire is subject to hiring guidelines.
SCOTTA read my blog
Jul 30, 2008 | 8:36 PM

Hi Maria,

I don't smoke, but I would resent anyone trying to tell me what I can and can't do in the privacy of my own home. I would hope that a person's home is still A PERSON'S HOME.
captainseapig read my blog view my photos
Jul 30, 2008 | 8:44 PM

I can see both sides of the issue and side with the hospital. There is nothing wrong with raising the standard. Maybe a smoking doctor or nurse will quit to save their job. Nothing unfair about that. Then they can enjoy their grandkids longer and have a better life.
All that being said, employees still have a choice, either comply or find another place to work, which shouldn't be to hard in the health care industry. Tough love is all it boils down to.
TheEliteOne read my blog
Jul 30, 2008 | 8:46 PM

Somkers also need a butt break every 30 minutes. Add up the time and it is crazy how much time is spent outside smoking.
Maria_Stephanos read my blog
Jul 30, 2008 | 8:51 PM

I want to make it very clear. I hate smoking. And I'm getting a hard time in the newsroom for this blog. But I stand by it. I think what you do in your own home is your business. If you go to work at this hospital and you don't bring your cigarettes, you don't smoke and you do your job, you should be allowed to work there.
gbennett
Jul 30, 2008 | 9:21 PM

Maria,

I hate smoking too! Most of my relatives smoke and I have bad asthma. So I don't like being around people when they smoke. I am not a smoker.

However, smoking does not define a person and their capabilites. The Ohio folks trying to ban smokers is flat out wrong.

They are trying to save money on health care? Give me a break.

Next it will be people with asthma, then people with diabities, then overwieght folks. Where does it end?

Wrong-wrong-wrong!

Greg
Hull
Kevin_Lemanowicz read my blog view my photos
Jul 30, 2008 | 9:25 PM

Maria, we are told all the time what we can and can not do at our job. Just Tuesday, I was told to return a tie I had bought. It didn't pass job standards. If the rules say "No Smoking", then find a job elsewhere if you need to smoke. I grew up in a home that was smoke-filled. I am quite certain it killed my grandparents, literally. I get that it is legal for people to slowly kill themselves by sucking on death sticks, but it is legal, and withing rights, for the hospital to make it a hiring standard. Just one weatherman's opinion.
skripples read my blog
Jul 30, 2008 | 9:25 PM

I will first state that I do smoke (on weekends, at night, whatever) and I don't mean to sound like a hypocrite. But... my sister has had a lung condition since childhood and it use to make me crazy when we would drive up to the ER and see the nurses all out smoking and then to have them come in and treat me sister. It is a persons right to do what they wish in their own privacy but at the same time I think when it comes to people who work in the health industry, healthy expectations should be made of them. At least for the patients sake anyway not so much to save the hospitals money.
jtmcc
Jul 30, 2008 | 9:33 PM

I do thinks it is wrong also.. what they do in thier own free time is thier business and ahould not affect the way they do thier job
JuneInMA read my blog view my photos
Jul 30, 2008 | 9:35 PM

Maria,

I say RIGHT ON AND DITTO! I'm with you! What the...??!! That is absurd, but like Chip said, their competent work force just diminished.
arelis7
Jul 30, 2008 | 9:36 PM

I agree with the ban, how can hospital employees (nurses,doc's, ect.) care for your health when they dont care for their own health. Not only will it help the environment, but it will stop the bad influence its giving young people. I hope this ban goes world wide!
DunderMifflin
Jul 30, 2008 | 9:46 PM

I actually don't agree with Maria for once. I agree for the most part that what someone does in their own home is their own business and shouldn't affect whether or not they're hired for a particular job. But smoking is different, especially in a Children's Hospital. I don't care how many Altoid's you down or if you chew Dentyne 24/7 if you're a serious smoker you're still going to reek of that nasty cigarette odor and that's not exactly the best smell if you want to promote healing in kids. And quite frankly why should any employer be required to be burdened with higher health care costs because someone decides to make poor lifestyle choices? Maria, you're telling me if you were hiring someone there at Fox and the choice was between Joe Camel and his hacking cough and Billy Fitness, you wouldn't pick the guy more likely to show up to work everyday healthy? Or you'd prefer the guy that smells like a walking ashtray?
jovanone read my blog view my photos
Jul 30, 2008 | 9:57 PM

Maria,

The hospital sets the guide lines for their employees and as long as you want to work their and they’re paying you and paying for your insurance, smoking is a no, no. I also feel like you, if I was in need of a Doctor and the only Doctor who could save my life was a smoker, I wouldn’t care if he had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth SAVE ME!!!!!!

Why is it that insurance companies are able to charge you more for insurance than non smokers?
TheEliteOne read my blog
Jul 30, 2008 | 10:03 PM

What puzzles me is people who smoke and work out. It is even tough to take when a smoker is on a treadmill next to me. It smell comes right thru their pores.
DuxburyMA read my blog view my photos
Jul 30, 2008 | 10:13 PM

"But I stand by it. I think what you do in your own home is your business."

That is one quote I can not stand. So you wouldn't mind if your neighbor was growing weed in his/her home? Or smoking crack ?

I have to disagree with you on this one ...if it is a job requirement find placement else where.
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Maria_Stephanos

I anchor the news on FOX25 at 5, 5:30,10:00 and 11:00 p.m.

Member Since: 2/13/2007


 

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