St. Luke’s Hospital and Health Network in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, will no longer hire employees who smoke starting May 1 this year. This is by far the first hospital to work out no-smoking policy. St. Luke’s Senior Vice President of Human Resource Bob Zimmel said, making a healthier workplace will benefit everyone, even if others consider it a bold move.

Applicants will be screened for nicotine much like drug testing. If the result turn’s out positive, that person automatically becomes ineligible for the any position. They can reapply after getting a negative test. And then, they will be given information on how to stop smoking.

Pennsylvania is one of the 20 states where no-smokers hiring policy is legal. Do you think more hospitals should implement this policy? I absolutely agree. It’s just a habit that results to more negative health effects than positive. How about those people already in the healthcare industry and been working alongside their medical uniforms, what is your stand?