New Casino Hiring ONLY Non Smokers - Discrimination?

I definitely feel it is a form of discrimination but lets face it, smokers are now second class citizens.  I know the UK are thinking of banning people smoking in the streets and in their cars.  Where will it stop...

blue

Over here in New Zealand Smoking is Banned in all Bar/Casinos when the law first came into effect the local establishments constantly had cops sorting out problems but after about two weeks it settled down.
Thinking of Banning in the Streets blue ..whoa thats heavy ..dont think
that would be a good idea after those riots ..i think certain things have to be tolerated in society.

Folks, smoking is not a right.  If the business wants to ban smoking in their building by hiring non smokers as one of the means to accomplish this, then so be it.

Businesses can ban people from certain jobs based on their medical history, credit rating, etc...  Happens all the time.

Smokers...go to the business that allows smoking and/or hires smokers.  This is America.  If you don't like what the business is doing, go start your own business and then you'll get to call the shots.

Here in WA the state allows employers to refuse to hire people who smoke. Luckily for me, my employer is not one of them. But I agree that the employer has that right, it will very likely save the employer money by not having employees out sick more often then non smokers.

Although it's not right.. yes they do have the right to hire non-smokers..i don't think non-smokers and smokers are listed in the discriminitory rights, just as insurance agencies lowering the cost for non-smokers also i did read somewhere that theres no law against it..to certain extents and not violating discrimnary law they have a right to choose..alot of places are going for the healthier people to bring forth heatly living and kind of like a reward for not being a smoker a person with bad habits..it'sa good incentive to quit..here we do have full non-smoking casinos, i am not sure if they only hired non-smokers.. (i went in one and its like empty, i was surprised) BUT i do think that it goes too far into peoples private lives and their habits, smoking doesn't change their level of skill, training or education i mean smoking is legal so is drinking, certain drinking can even be healthy.. maybe thats the next step .. hiring non drinkers and non smokers..  then stepping it up to vegetarians only..

Hmmm...I really don't have an opinion on this one! ...but I don't agree with the comment genenco made about smokers being out sick more than non-smokers. I smoke over a pack a day but I rarely get so much as a cold...maybe once every 2 or 3 years I catch something and it's over with in 2 days. I've seen non-smokers with just as many health problems and illnesses as I've seen with somkers...that is more or less based on ones immune system. As a company I could see and understand them not wanting smokers around...even if they can't smoke inside you still get them going outside on their breaks and flicking their butts everywhere....really unatractive....as a smoker I think the whole thing sucks!

I agree with Blue, at least partially. I wouldn't call it discrimination but I'd call it futile because it's a "no smoking" building so the employee wouldn't be able to smoke there anyway. I'm not a doctor but I don't think that smokers get more sick days than non-smokers, I smoke and I never had a sick day while some of my non-smoking colleagues had weeks or months over the past few years. I guess it's fashionable to have non-smoking policies these days just like smoking was in fashion a few decades ago.

I don't think it's discrimination but I think it's a stupid reason not to hire people if your building is no smoking.

How would my smoking effect my ability to do a job? There are health and safety rules in place so even if I did a job where those rules applied it shouldn't matter. Gotta wash my hands. Gotta take a shower and be clean in general to meet those standards.

Even if smoking was permitted are you not going to hire a person to work in a kitchen cause you're afraid they're gonna eat the food? I am surprised that this is allowed. If ciggys are legal then how can you choose not to hire people who smoke? It seems discriminatory to me. Not getting it.

I am rather libertarian.  Live and let live!  Leave me alone!  However, smokers have become "persona non grata" in so many parts of the USA.  Most school children are now trained to think of smokers as nasty, dirty people, for example.  My kids will see someone out in public smoking, point and scream..."My God, Dad, that person is SMOKING!!"  And yes, I tell them that is rude to do that.

Another example:  I love to go to New York City.  And I love an occasional
celebration cigar with some Scotch.  BUT...in NYC forget about finding ANYWHERE to smoke a cigar.  It is banned in all public building!  So, I stand outside my hotel and smoke a nice cigar...and I notice people walking by me looking as if I am shooting drugs up a vein in my neck!

The reality is there is a growing "repulsion" for smoking and smokers.  So, there is no surprise a casino would ban smoking and even smoking employees.  But, I fully support businesses not to hire employees who are smokers considering the public's feeling on the matter.  The public brings in the cash, folks!  And if I own a business, why take a risk of an employee coming in smelling of an ash tray, or being caught taking a drag outside the kitchen door.

This is America.  If you don't like the business' rules, then work for another business.  'Tis 2011..no one is owed a job.

I hope to see the day when there will be such a repulsion for... let's say.. liars! It's utopia, I know.

        Okay, I have to weigh in on this one.  I personally would love to see a non-smoking casino.    By the way,  satansmuff,  you might want to quit that habit.  (Leave you more money for gambling).    Seriously though,  second hand smoke is very dangerous and besides being annoying ,  can trigger asthma attacks.  I work in health care and the majority of my patients are smokers and ex-smokers.  The chronic health problems,  shortness of breath they have to endure, I wouldn't wish on anybody.  I didn't mean for this to become an anti-smoking campaign but it isn't a social issue,  it's a health issue.  Now,  people certainly have the freedom to do this if they want but us non-smokers also have the right to not breathe it as it is a carcinogen.  I see patients dying from this all the time.  More people die from tobacco related illnesses in the US than from alcohol, legal and illegal drugs combined.  As far as the sick days are concerned,  there is a stack of research that shows smokers are out longer when they are sick and do call out more frequently than non-smokers,  hence the lower insurance premiums.    Anyways,  Geez Lips
look what you stirred up.   

I haven't had a chance to read all the replies so I'm posting my reply without knowing the concensus.

Smoking is legal.  If one can't smoke inside a building, who cares what goes on in a persons personal life.  If I wanna be a swinger at night, doesn't affect my job during the day. (I'm not a swinger, just an example)

Smoking is legal.
Alcohol is legal.
I would prefer to be around/driving next to/talking with someone who just smoked a pack instead of just drinking a case.

Yes, smokers are an increased health (sick days, more cost, etc.) risk.  If you don't believe it, why do life insurance companies charge more for smokers.  Follow 1000 smokers and 1000 non smokers for a period of 10 years and you will certainly see a difference.  This has been the medical evidence for over 40 years.

Yes, I believe smokers should be allowed to smoke...after all, I am a true libertarian! 

But, businesses are certainly allowed to ban behaviors/habits/affinities that threatend to deminish their profits.  If I own an exercise equipment store, why should I be forced to hire fat people?  If I own a cosmetics company, why should I be forced to hire people with a face full of pimples?  If I own a Big and Tall men's clothing store, why sould I be forced to hire a midget?

If I want to own a smoke free casino, why should I put my profit at rise for employees who come in smelling of smoke or wanting to hang out somewhere and take drags.