World Health Organization Bans Smoking Employees

[jimbeaux]

I can see right off where this makes sense. However, upon further review, what about other unhealthy acts like eating too much bacon, drinking too many spirits...where would it end? Maybe we can say that smoking is more harmful than most things and is addictive more so than say....bacon. What do ye all say?

http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=2344032005

[eccles]

well eating a bacon butty doesn't affect the bloke next to me, smoking a fag does!

[towman]

Er, no. It has nothing to do with smoking in the building. They have stated that employing smokers does not give off the right impression for the WHO, so the question about bacon butties is correct.

[jimbeaux]

Must say I agree with their reasoning in this case. My concern is that any organization remotely associated with healthy images will begin hiring only model-like perfect physical specimans. This could be bent to discriminate against those in wheelchairs, diabetics, etc, etc.

>> Edited by jimbeaux on Saturday 3rd December 15:25

[rpguk]

Doctors and other health professionals seem to smoke far more then the general population in my experience.

I'd hate to think that the right person for a job at such an important organisation were being turned away because like so many others in their field they choose to smoke.

I can see the path of logic, but lets be honest I as a layman will never know and couldn't care less if Bob the scientist smokes or not. I'm more concerned that he can actually do his job. Maybe high profile characters within the organisation but everyone, absurd!

>> Edited by rpguk on Saturday 3rd December 15:17

[Pigeon]

So I could be an expert in malaria prevention, or something, but they wouldn't employ me because I smoke? Bloody stupid IMO.

[dilbert]

I don't really understand why health insurance for smokers is more expensive than for non smokers. Surely if we die earlier, then there is less expense in terms geriatric care?

Sure, smokers get ill, but then so does everyone else. Since smokers die sooner, surely they get ill less often?

Maybe I'm being slow?

[towman]

dilbert said:

Maybe I'm being slow?

It`s the nicotine - dulls the brain!