Nicotine users in search of employment can save themselves some time by just not applying to U-Haul, according to a new policy the company announced.
In a press release, U-Haul said its nicotine-free hiring policy will go into effect in 21 states starting February 1.
U-Haul, which employs more than 30,000, said that those already working for the company won't be affected by the nicotine-free policy, but that the wellness of workers will still be front-and-center.
"Nicotine products are addictive and pose a variety of serious health risks," she continued. "This policy is a responsible step in fostering a culture of wellness at U-Haul, with the goal of helping our Team Members on their health journey."
The 21 states where U-Haul's nicotine-free hiring policy will in effect are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.
Boston University's Dr. Michael Siegel told ABC News that U-Haul's policy is "terribly misguided" and "hardly a progressive public health policy."
"In public health, we try to encourage people to engage in healthy behavior, but we do not punish them and stigmatize them when they don't," he said. "It punishes exactly the people who should be rewarded for having accomplished this difficult feat."
For one, it opens the door to discrimination.
"This sets a terrible precedent because it means that employers can discriminate against any group of people they want, such as obese people," he said. "The exact reasoning that U-Haul is citing in promoting this policy would also justify refusing to hire people who are obese, or people who use legal marijuana, or any number of other health behaviors."
And some of them might be the type that U-Haul would otherwise want to help. "This eliminates anyone who has quit smoking and is staying off smoking by using nicotine patches or gum or electronic cigarettes," he said.
He added that the "worst aspect of this policy is that it punishes ex-smokers who have quit using electronic cigarettes or any type of nicotine replacement therapy."
h/t: ABC News
