Comments on: Should It Be Legal to Not Hire Smokers? http://modernsophist.com/should-it-be-legal-to-not-hire-smokers/ Where Style Overcomes A Complete Lack Of Niche Sun, 13 May 2012 06:42:12 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Thomas Wood http://modernsophist.com/should-it-be-legal-to-not-hire-smokers/comment-page-1/#comment-282 Thomas Wood Thu, 01 Apr 2010 08:29:20 +0000 http://modernsophist.com/?p=1400#comment-282 I hear what you're saying Anna. That's why I would take an argument to make tobacco illegal seriously (I don't think it will happen any time soon, but I think there are some good arguments to be made). Meanwhile, I'm super sensitive to discrimination of this sort. And I don't see how not hiring smokers helps people quit except for the minor niche of smokers in the health industry in that particular area. Meanwhile, it is very reminiscent of free speech arguments to me, where I support the right to hurt themselves, even if I don't agree with it. I hear what you’re saying Anna. That’s why I would take an argument to make tobacco illegal seriously (I don’t think it will happen any time soon, but I think there are some good arguments to be made). Meanwhile, I’m super sensitive to discrimination of this sort. And I don’t see how not hiring smokers helps people quit except for the minor niche of smokers in the health industry in that particular area.

Meanwhile, it is very reminiscent of free speech arguments to me, where I support the right to hurt themselves, even if I don’t agree with it.

]]> By: Anna Harvey http://modernsophist.com/should-it-be-legal-to-not-hire-smokers/comment-page-1/#comment-281 Anna Harvey Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:40:59 +0000 http://modernsophist.com/?p=1400#comment-281 Obviously this not hiring of smokers seems to be wrongful discrimination. On the other hand at least someone is trying to get a social stigma going about some of the most harmful shit this side of ice. Smoking has for so long been seen as cool and someone has to do something to start turning the tide of opinion and make people see smoking for what it is. Lord knows I think it's cool too, and no matter how many years I go without a smoke, I'm still a smoker and would love to pick it up again, no matter how high they hike the price or what nasty ads they make. I see the other side though. Infective exacerbations of emphysema, folks with 24 hour oxygen. It's cool to tote a pack of darts. It's not so cool to tote an oxygen cylinder. It's not cool to not be able to catch your breath, it's not cool to need a thoracotomy. I can't say what the motives are for these hospitals, I guess like most big business it's about the bottom line. I can get on board with a bigger picture in mind though and while I will never condone any kind of discrimination I've got to see the broader impact as a good thing for everyone. Obviously this not hiring of smokers seems to be wrongful discrimination. On the other hand at least someone is trying to get a social stigma going about some of the most harmful shit this side of ice. Smoking has for so long been seen as cool and someone has to do something to start turning the tide of opinion and make people see smoking for what it is. Lord knows I think it’s cool too, and no matter how many years I go without a smoke, I’m still a smoker and would love to pick it up again, no matter how high they hike the price or what nasty ads they make. I see the other side though. Infective exacerbations of emphysema, folks with 24 hour oxygen. It’s cool to tote a pack of darts. It’s not so cool to tote an oxygen cylinder. It’s not cool to not be able to catch your breath, it’s not cool to need a thoracotomy. I can’t say what the motives are for these hospitals, I guess like most big business it’s about the bottom line. I can get on board with a bigger picture in mind though and while I will never condone any kind of discrimination I’ve got to see the broader impact as a good thing for everyone.

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