Bon Secours Virginia Health System Adopts Nicotine-Free Hiring Policy

November 15, 2011 - 4:06 pm

 

No Smoking

Creative commons: Flickr.com/photos/chriskueh

Part of  our commitment to employee wellness

As part of Bon Secours Virginia’s investment in employee health and commitment to accountable care, we are initiating a nicotine-free hiring policy. Effective Nov. 30, 2011, nicotine users will not be eligible for employment within Bon Secours Virginia Health System.

The policy is an extension of our mission to provide good help and model good health for our patients, employees and the community. Bon Secours Virginia is part of a growing national trend to adopt a nicotine-free hiring policy and joins national health care leaders, including the Cleveland Clinic and Humana in encouraging a healthy lifestyle and reducing health care costs by promoting a nicotine-free environment.

We have prohibited smoking and the use of all tobacco products from inside the hospitals and facilities as well as the property immediately outside since 2009. Current employees will not be affected by the new policy. Bon Secours will continue to offer smoking cessation support, including classes and access to the American Cancer Association QuitLine.

“More than 12,000 Bon Secours Virginia employees care for and inspire patients every day,” said Peter J. Bernard, CEO of Bon Secours Virginia. “It is our responsibility to encourage our employees to be as healthy as possible and to offer creative and convenient ways to ensure their own health and wellness.”

Under the new policy, applicants for open positions at Bon Secours Virginia will be tested for nicotine as part of the pre-employment screening process.  Those who are denied employment due to a positive nicotine test are encouraged to take steps to stop the use of nicotine and reapply to open positions after a period of six months.

The nicotine-free hiring policy complements our employee wellness and employee assistance programs, which provide comprehensive health services, including mental health counseling, health management resources and an on-site employee clinic and pharmacy.

“Employee wellness is a top priority for Bon Secours Virginia,” said Bonnie Shelor, senior vice president of human resources. “The nicotine-free hiring initiative is the newest element of our ongoing commitment to employee health and wellbeing, and we are pleased that the majority of our employees are fully engaged in our overall wellness initiatives.”

According to the American Heart Association, smoking is linked to lung cancer, heart disease, stroke and other chronic lung diseases and is the most preventable cause of death in the United States.

Nicotine-free hiring is becoming a national trend among hospitals and health care systems. More than 6,000 U.S. companies have initiated these policies.

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  • Disgusted ex-patient

    I can’t believe that bonsecours is going to test for nicotene. I have always supported bonsecours, even when most everyone i know calls maryview, murderview, i have always received good care there. I was born in that hospital, and have had several surgeries there. I will no longer use any of the bonsecours facilities. If my doctor only services bonsecour, then I will change doctors. It ought to be against the law to tell people what they can and can’t do on their own time. I am disgusted with them and done with them. I will pass them to get to a Sentara facility. I thought Catholic hospitals would be more accepting of people and their personal choices, I was wrong. Soon they won’t take patient who smoke. Oh no, that’s where the money is.

  • Brimmyd

    So if the focus is on employee wellness then I would expect you shouldn’t also hire obesed imdividuals or those who consume alcohol. Also, what about applicants trying to quit and are on quit assist products like patches and gum? I know it is legal, but being a religious non profit organization should stand for acceptance for those that want to be employed to provide as you say “good help to those on need.”

  • Lakrlk

    As a current employee of BSV & one that smokes, it infuriates me the lengths that employers will now go to dictate the personal lives & choices of their staff.  I know it’s only a matter of time until this policy is applied to all employees & not just new hires.  Dictating our LEGAL lifestyle choices seems to be the growing trend in America.  As a matter of personal choice, I smoke.  I also pay the higher insurance premium & understand the prohibition of tobacco at work facilities; with these I have no quarrel.  BUT……….to go so far as to impede upon an employee’s personal time away from work – it’s just too much.  Curious; there seems to be no problem with alcohol; it’s even a reimbursable business expense – up to two drinks if consumed during a business related event or dinner.  I guess it’s okay to have those 2 bourbons with dinner………….but you better not light up a cigarette later when you get home!!!

  • http://www.nickdawson.net Nick

    Thank you Lakrik for sharing your feelings and concerns with us. We have no plans to change our nicotine policies towards existing employees.

  • http://www.nickdawson.net Nick

    Brimmyd, thank you for taking the time to post a comment and voice your concerns.

    We believe smoking is different from obesity and alcohol abuse. Smoking is a choice which has well known risks and negative health effects. The healthcare costs associated with smoking are also significant.

    Obesity and alcohol abuse are diseases, as classified by the ADA . As such, we offer assistance to employees as well as community members who are battling either challenge. It is part of our mission to provide them access to treatment.

  • Anonymous

    Brimmyd, thank you for taking the time to post a comment and voice your concerns. 

    We believe smoking is different from obesity and alcohol abuse. Smoking is a choice which has well known risks and negative health effects. The healthcare costs associated with smoking are also significant. 

    Obesity and alcohol abuse are diseases, as classified by the ADA . As such, we offer assistance to employees as well as community members who are battling either challenge. It is part of our mission to provide them access to treatment.

  • Anonymous

    Thank you Lakrik for sharing your feelings and concerns with us. We have no plans to change our nicotine policies towards existing employees. 

  • Ekeller

    In October 2010, the FDA held a 2-day workshop on the “Risks and Benefits of Long-term Use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)”. In his presentation, world-renowned expert on nicotine safety and toxicity, Dr. Neal Benowitz, stated that although there are no long-term studies of NRT safety, there are decades of research on the use of low-nitrosamine smokeless tobacco (ST)–especially in Sweden where adult smoking rates and lung cancer rates are the lowest in the European Union. His findings were: a) The lack of increase in common cancers in lifelong ST users indicates that nicotine is not a general cancer promoter. b) Recent studies indicate minimal if any increased risk of CVD with ST. He extrapolated from the safety research on ST to conclude that long-term use of NRTs would not be unsafe. Many former smokers are using low-risk substitutes such as NRTs, ST, and e-cigarettes to remain smoke-free and to keep problems with mood, attention, and concentration under control. How does Bon Secours justify discrimination against nicotine users when there is no evidence that non-smoked nicotine increases employer costs or interferes with patient care?  If the goal is truly employee wellness, current smokers should be encouraged to switch to less hazardous sources of nicotine. Smoking status can be verified by exhaled carbon monoxide testing.

  • http://www.facebook.com/thad.marney Thad Marney

    BonSecoursVA, the problem is you are not testing for smoking, you are testing for a legally prescribed/OTC medication that is used by some of your patients to treat diseases and disabilities.

    Nicotine Addiction is also a disease as classified by the ADA and smoke-free nicotine has been shown to be an effective prevention and/or treatment for Parkinson’s and Attention Deficit disorders.  Treating people who are self medicating or using nicotine with a doctor’s prescription the same as smokers is employment discrimination on the basis of a perceived disability.  Shame on you.

  • Steve Johnson

    BonSecoursVA, you consider smoking ‘a choice which has well known risks and negative health effects.’

    There are many many things in this world that have ‘well-known risks and negative health effects’ – take for example riding a motorcycle.  Are you going to check driver’s licenses on application as well and deny those with a cycle endorsement? 

    Perhaps volunteering with a local fire department, as we all know that rushing into fires is hazardous.

    Hey, while we’re at it, let’s not hire people who serve in our armed forces on the weekends, as they are definitely taking some risks defending our country.

    Deciding someone’s career options based on the legal risks they take outside of your facility and their role as an employee is pure biased discrimination, and nothing more.  This is a case of an employer that thinks they know what is good for their employees better than the employee themselves do.

    Shame BonSecoursVA, shame…

  • Leigh

    Obesity and alcoholism aren’t choices???

  • Leigh

    And choices with “well known risks and negative health effects” and enormous health care costs.   Good grief.  What kind of warped logic is this?

    I also agree with some of the other posts that testing for NICOTINE is a terrible decision.  If you insist on discriminating against one of MANY risky behaviors at least allow your future employees to use NRTs to get off the cigarettes.

  • Deadcat2

    This policy is discriminates against those who are currently using various products that supply nicotine in an effort to QUIT SMOKING.  So it seems you would prefer that people who are trying to save their lives go somewhere other than your hospital to do so, as they are not welcome any longer.  You say you are trying to set an example, but the example you are setting with this policy is simply disgusting.

  • Anonymous

    Hospital workers need to set a example that nicotine addiction is dangerous and very unhealthy way of life. Nicotine-free hiring is becoming a national trend among hospitals and health care systems. More than 6,000 U.S. companies have initiated these policies and many more will be following. Nicotine is an extremely addictive drug. Don’t belive the joke of an organization that claims “harm reduction ” involves staying addicted to the dangerous drug nicotine.
    Tobacco, ecf/casaa (Consumer Advocates should Advocate Addition ) companies are, in effect, drug-pushers. Their income depends on keeping millions of Americans hooked.

  • http://www.facebook.com/thad.marney Thad Marney

    The above post has been flagged for libel.  The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association is a NON-PROFIT organization that works to educate the public with truthful information about smoke-free products. 

    If I am not mistaken, Eciggersssuck’s income depends on the sale of books and drugs to treat diseases caused by smoking.  He is a liar and a hypocrite whose livelihood and ethical paradigm is threatened by the growing popularity of smoke-free alternatives that are helping MILLIONS of smokers to stop or drastically reduce smoking who have been otherwise unable or unwilling to completely quit smoking and (if they choose) to stop using nicotine altogether.

  • Anonymous

    I don’t work for anyone… The only thing I’m selling is being free from this drug addiction unlike what you are selling is nicotine addiction
    As far as casaa goes its a” ghost site ” a front for ecf to sell nicotine addiction to kids and families… Some members of casaa sell ecig accessories and then you have Elain who is trying to get prisoners to have the ability to use ecigs….. Really convicted prisoners that are there for crimes like murder, rape, drugs

  • Leigh

    I definitely advocate addition.  Subtraction and multiplication also (but not division, sorry that’s where I draw the line).

  • http://www.facebook.com/thad.marney Thad Marney

    ECF doesn’t sell anything except advertising space.  Since e-cigarettes can be used to wean oneself off nicotine or used without nicotine, they are no more dependent on “selling addiction” than any other website with advertisements for Starbucks or McDonalds.  

    BonSecoursVA Health System, on the other hand, does derive a great deal of its income from treating addiction and associated diseases.

  • Aselk

    There is really no rational reasoning for this policy. Many study’s have shown that low TSNA smokeless tobacco in the form of snus and dissolvables have about 1% of the risk of smoking. Electronic cigarettes are also very likely far less harmful then smoking. Yet this policy does not discriminate as to what form of nicotine that is being consumed. It assumes that all tobacco/nicotine products are equally harmful which is completely false. It is just this type of misinformation that is keeping smokers unwilling or unable to quit from switching to products that are far less harmful then smoking. 

    Studies have shown that smokers who switch to low TSNA smokeless have essentially the same health risk at those who have quit all tobacco products. Nicotine alone is simply not very risky . It’s the smoke that kills. By missing this important distinction Bon Secours Virginia Health System is showing a great deal of ignorance about what actually causes harm and why. 

  • Anonymous

    Thank you all for the continued dialogue around our policy. We are proud to support this blog as a forum for discussion and appreciate your comments, both complimentary and critical. We would, however, ask that you keep the discourse civil and on topic. Please refrain from personal attacks or product/service promotions.

    Thanks
    Nick Dawson – Bon Secours Virginia

  • Anonymous

    Aselk,
    Thank you for sharing your concerns.

    We agree in supporting people who wish to quit, including through the use of nicotine replacement aids. Our policy requires that someone complete their treatment and be nicotine free to be eligible for employment. We believe being completely nicotine free is part of a healthy lifestyle.

  • Anonymous

    Site upgrades
    Please be aware, we are in the process of some planned upgrades to the site. It is not our intention to interrupt this important conversation and we’ll do our best to ensure it remains available and intact. However, there may be periods of brief technical interruptions from 11/29 – 12/2.

  • Aselk

    “We believe being completely nicotine free is part of a healthy lifestyle.”

    That is an ideology that has nothing to do with health. Nicotine causes minimal harm. You are simply pushing your own ideals, something like abstinence only sex or prohibitionist alcohol. You are again showing your ignorance as to what causes health issues as regards to tobacco. It’s not the nicotine, it’s the smoke. You are not advocating a rational policy as regards to public health, but indeed a believe system.

  • http://www.nicfits.com Electricman

    There is no safe form of tobacco use. All forms contain nicotine and cause addiction and health problems
    Nicotine dependence is an addiction to tobacco products caused by the drug nicotine.
    Being addicted to the extremely dangerous addictive drug nicotine is just one very small step back to smoking…. If you want to give up smoking you need to deal with the addiction “nicotine ” that simple.

  • Aselk

    Electricman: You appear to be pushing an ideology not supported by science. Dozens of study’s tell us that low TSNA smokeless tobacco is not extremely dangerous as you state. The reality is that products as in snus, dissolvables, and electronic cigarettes have about 1% the risk of smoking.

    The ideology pushed by you and Bon Secours Virginia Health System is nothing short of a politically correct form of bigotry. It is currently socially exceptable but it is just as bad of worse then the bigotry shown against gays or any other, in your view, socially unexceptables.

    Many people use tobacco as a form of self medication for depression, ADD, AHAD, bipolar, and a host of other problems. Tobacco is of great benefit for many people. The quit or die approach of Bon Secours Virginia Health System, besides the inherent bigotry, is in fact killing people.

  • Mcmcsimulation

    What about people who are using NRT therapy in an attempt to quit smoking?  What about a doctor’s Rx?  Smokers would only be a subset of the individuals testing positive for nicotine, so this policy seems rather inclusive to me.  I don’t know but it sounds like Bon Secours may be heading down a slippery slope on this one…

  • Elaine Keller

    All approved methods of smoking cessation require nicotine abstinence.  If that works so well, why do people keep relapsing over and over and over and over?  The pattern of “smoke -> get treatment -> become nicotine abstinent -> relapse” has been repeated dozens of times by millions of would-be quitters. And yet, those who have tried substituting less harmful forms of nicotine for smoking have been able to remain smoke-free for years. In Sweden most smokers who switch snus remain smoke-free for the rest of their lives. And they live just as long as those who became abstinent from nicotine.

    In my case, I was on that wheel of misfortune for 45 years and have been smoke-free for an incredible three years thanks to substituting a combination of non-smoked sources of nicotine for cigarettes. Do you realize that there is no way to make driving a car 100% safe, so we could also say (just as truthfully as your opening line), ” there is no safe form of automobile use.” We could also emulate those government-required warning labels on products that are 98% less hazardous than smoking by putting similar warning label on all automobiles:  “Driving sober is not a safe alternative to driving drunk.” (Kudos to KNM.)