There are many battles to be fought in our efforts to retain our ability to use electronic cigarettes, and to use them freely.
One of the strategies of those who oppose electronic cigarettes is to get them included in smoking bans. CASAA and other members of this forum keep us well-informed in the Legislative News subforums when these actions are attempted by local government agencies such as City Councils or Boards of Health.
But another, more disturbing trend is taking place, and that is what this question will focus on.
Recently, a hospital in Virginia initiated a policy on November 30th that they will no longer hire people who test positive for nicotine during pre-employment screening. This policy discriminates against not only smokers, but also people using nicotine gum, the patch, lozenges, or nicotine inhalers in an effort to quit smoking. And of course, it also discriminates against those using electronic cigarettes that contain nicotine.
Also recently, a medical university made a similar announcement about a policy they intend to enforce beginning in March of next year. The new rules say faculty, students and volunteers wont even be allowed to smoke in personal vehicles parked on their property. To make matters worse, patients and visitors also must comply, and vendors who smoke on the job could have their contracts terminated. The new policy also forbids electronic cigarettes and other smokeless
tobacco products in addition to cigarettes, cigars and pipes.
But in order to illustrate the difference that even simple actions can sometimes make, an employee who works for the hospital and uses an electronic cigarette got the attention of the local newpaper when he wrote an email to the President of the university. The response to the email was promising, although it remains to be seen if any changes to the policy will take place before it goes into effect. But history has shown that when we inform policymakers of the facts about smokeless alternatives, we are often able to change the outcome, so there is hope here.
Please name the hospital in Virginia that is no longer hiring people who use nicotine.
And then name the medical university that soon might, or might not allow electronic cigarettes.
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The next question will be asked on Thursday at 9am PST
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If you wish to contact anyone to inform them about electronic cigarettes (or other smokeless alternatives) and you would like some help with regard to what you might want to say, CASAA is there to help....
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...you-going-interviewed-about-e-cigarettes.html
. Thanks DC2, great idea for a contest!
