Give up cigarettes for your health – and your career. To cut down on health care costs, many businesses are opting not to hire smokers.

You know that smoking is bad for your health, but did you know that it could also be bad for your career? With the national unemployment rate near 10 percent, finding a job in this economy is no easy feat. But it could be even harder for those who smoke. Job postings in the help wanted section may soon read, “smokers need not apply.” In order to reduce health care costs and encourage healthy behaviors, many employers, including the Cleveland Clinic, are adopting nicotine-free hiring policies. If you have a college-aged kid who smokes, this could be the incentive they need to kick the habit. Talk to your health care provider about smoking cessation programs in your area.

That's it for now, until next time, good luck with your training and remember, if you have a question, log on to the Virtual Trainer Expert Forum and have your question answered by a panel of experts. In addition, be sure and check out the Racer X Virtual Trainer archive section. Your complete one-stop information zone for motocross fitness.

1. 
   Lewis March 23, 2011 at 9:20 am

   Even though I do not smoke, I does appear to me this is pushing too far. It looks like discrimination to me. Why not having smokers pay insurance premiums instead?
2. 
   SpottedMarley March 24, 2011 at 12:51 pm

   You're right, it is discrimination. It's discrimination against idiots who don't care about their own health and drive up medical insurance costs for everyone else in your company. That's discrimination I can get behind.
3. 
   Lewis March 24, 2011 at 2:47 pm

   The problem is that if you start doing that, what prevents companies to refuse to hire you because they know you eat McDonald or pizzas and not as healthy as could be?
4. 
   johnny6 March 24, 2011 at 9:22 pm

   I quit smoking 7 months ago. I'm 50 years old. I grew up with EVERYONE around me smoking. Actors, father, aunts, uncles, friends,. It was shown to be the thing to do. It was, and is, a very hard thing to stop doing once you start. So, if you want to post dumb ass shit like spotted Know nothing. Learn what it's like to overcome a very hard to beat addiction before getting on your high horse. I stopped, some others are still trying. But your calling them idiots will help, I'm sure.
5. 
   Azracer243 March 25, 2011 at 9:41 am

   why in this current day and age does it seem like no matter what the behavior of some. There is some way to justify it. Oh I was raised like this, or everyone around me did it so I couldn't help it. Come on people! Let all stop trying to be so (politically correct) about everything. Hey, if Iam doing something that is not right poeple should be able to say so. I too overcame ciggarettes, and yes it very difficult, but it is still not a good behavior to be involved with. Mabey insted of being consurned so much about saying something someone might see as offensive. And just be BOLD enough to stand up for what is right. No one should have cater to someones negative behaviors regardless of what they might be. We should all be willing to stand up what is right in this life. Think of it like this: When your growing up, or when your raising your own children. We are tought(hopefully)and teach(hpoefully) our kids to do what is right and to stand up for the right thing. We should not forget those principles just because we went to collage or got a good job. If it's right it's right. If it's wrong then it's wrong. PERIOD NO EXCUSES!!!!
6. 
   Tim Crytser March 25, 2011 at 12:58 pm

   Lewis - Just you wait. Regulating what we eat is next on the list. I love the fact that I can go in to a restaurant and not have to put up with a smoking section but at the same time I hate it. If I own the place, I should be able to pump in smoke as long I properly inform the public. Restaurants are a semi-private place that I do not have to go in. Not smoking at work is different. We both have to be there. But the smoking ban in restaurants is setting the stage for further health regulation. So far its been working in my favor (and most of the general public) but pretty soon they may take something away that I like to do. hmmmm, maybe something like riding a motorcycle? Didn;t that just happen to kids last year?
   
   I hate cigarettes more than you could ever know, but I don't think people should be prevented from smoking them. I think you should have the freedom to do whatever you want to your body (and read this part twice)...as long as it does not effect me! Health care premiums and all the other pork that gets put in with smoking is bull to me. It should be simply that an insurance company should be able to charge a premium based on your lifestyle. If I don't smoke, then I should seek out a company who rewards that in the way of premiums. I know, I know, you can stop typing your response....its not that simple and we live in a society. I get that. And as a trainer and a person who tries to do everything in my power to live as long and as healthy as I can, it pisses me off to see people smoke and be overweight. It just seems like an insult to life to do something that is know to reduce the number of days you have on this planet.

Name

Email

Website

Comment