World Health Organization stops hiring smokers

[Thom Little]

The World Health Organization has stopped hiring smokers as part of its commitment to controlling tobacco use, a spokesman said Friday.

"WHO has taken a very public lead in the fight against tobacco use," spokesman Iain Simpson said. "As a matter of principle, WHO does not want to recruit smokers."

As of Dec. 1, all vacancy notices include a line stating that the U.N. health agency does not promote tobacco use or recruit smokers, Simpson said. Applicants are asked if they smoke or use other tobacco products, and if they answer "yes," the application process is terminated.

.......

The ban on recruitment of smokers is legal under international law, which governs operations at WHO and other U.N. agencies regardless of location, Simpson explained. The ban, therefore, applies across all the agency's sites, including offices in New York, he said.


http://ap.lubbockonline.com/pstories/health/20051202/3464140.shtml

[Love Bug]

1. What's next -- fat people?

[depakid]

2. Well, it is a health organization....

though I imagine that this policy is going to run into some resistence if they try to apply it internally.

[MindPilot]

6. Step into my office LB....

LB, it has come to my attention that you were seen in the McDonald's on 4th & Main around 6:30 last night. You understand that I have no choice, I have to let you go.
--the boss

[3days]

3. Questionaire

Do you smoke?

No

Do you engage in illicit sexual acts with known drug users?

Yes


You're hired.

[TX-RAT]

4. Wonderful idea, but don't stop there.

Screen them for high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, athletes foot, jock itch, psoriasis.

Boneheads!

[Journeyman]

5. Just one of the (many) reasons I quit smoking 20 years ago. . .

I read the hour -- even then -- saw the direction and determined I would not be caught unaware. There are changes afoot everyday. . .

[MindPilot]

7. Do you make all the decisions in your life

to conform to the health & safety nazis?

[Bridget Burke]

8. Perhaps he wants to live a longer life.

You're free to make your own choices.

[LostinVA]

9. That's why I quit ten years ago

Two packs a day, 30 years old, and waking up every morning hacking and coughing up brown, nasty phlegm.

I don't condemn smokers, because I know what a real addiction it is. But, it is bad for you.

Should health organizations say workers shouldn't smoke? I see both sides of this...

[MindPilot]

11. I haven't smoked for probably 20 years,

No reason other than--like you--I just decided it didn't feel good anymore.

"Should health organizations say workers shouldn't smoke?" I would say it would tend to work the other way, would a smoker want to work for a health organization?

Personal anecdote: Several people rent the house next door to me, and quite a few have moved in & out over the years. They are all medical people of one sort or another, nurses & PAs mostly, and they ALL smoke.

[crizzo5137]

13. Wha???

"But, it is bad for you."

Really? Holy Nun-in-a-k-hole Batman!!! I thought they were full of vitamin C.. NOW i must quit....

[MindPilot]

10. Well obviously, but it sounds as if he made that choice

because he foresaw the societal disapproval of smoking and based the decision on that rather than personal choice.

[Bridget Burke]

12. Well, if he lives longer--that's just a side effect.

I know quite a few health care workers. Almost none of them smoke.