Is it morally justifiable for an employer to place restrictions on the smoking habits of employees?

Question

Is it morally justifiable for an employer to place restrictions on the smoking habits of employees?

Answer 1

yes. besides it might lower their fire insurance. wouldn't you want to pay less?

Answer 2

Morally justifiable, not in the slightest. If I do my job then what does it matter what I do when I'm off the clock?

Unfortunately morally unjustifiable and legally actionable aren't quite the same thing. But I do remember a German small business owner who pranked the local press by saying that he was going to fire all of his non-smoking employees to improve the atmosphere at work. Someone put it on the newswires and there were screams of righteous anger from the anti-smoking lobby, despite the fact that it is the same policy applied to them that they are advocating applying to smokers.

There was a most entertaining couple of days before he owned up...

Answer 3

Smoking has become less socially acceptable for very good reasons.

It completely right for an employer to place such restrictions on smokers.........

most employers who do this are health-places like hospitals........and that's because smoking is very harmful to health and violates the hospitals duty to promote health and wellness.

Some hospitals not only baned smoking from the presmises, but also won't allow employees to smoke anywhere any time; not at home, not on their own time, not at all.      

They are not infringing on your right to smoke..................they just don't want you to both smoke & work for them.    Work elsewhere!

Answer 4

Yes.

Employers are not required to allow smokers to take a "smoke break" during the working hours.

If the employer sponsors health benefits - the employer is paying the bulk of the premium and the premium is much higher for smokers than for non.

Many cities and towns in my area have passed smoking bans.  

Answer 5

By all means!

Answer 6

Only when on their property, they cant tell you what you can or cant do off their property.

Answer 7

Yes, it's morally justifiable. Why, you ask? Because, as an employee, you have the right to leave. I don't think an employer should care as long as the smoking doesn't interfere with your work duties, but the employer owns his business and your job, and since your employment is strictly voluntary, then any request is morally justifiable as long as you have the right to say 'no' and leave.

Answer 8

When you are at work and on the clock,  yes.  If you don't like it,  work someplace else.

Answer 9

Sure.  Especially if the employer provides medical insurance and the insurer gives a lower rate for non-smokers.  An employer can also be concerned with smells, with excessive breaks, with lost concentration by people jonesing, litter and all sorts of other factors.  The employer will lose some good people by such a policy, but some employers find that the costs are outweighed by the benefits.

Answer 10

umm yeah. I expect my employees to be able to control their habit. And, I'm a smoker. What do morals have to do with smoking in the 1st place. Of course its morally justifiable. Now, killing your employees is not morally justifiable.....in most cases.

Answer 11

They can't tell their employees weather they can smoke or not. Only while they work. They are allowed so many breaks, just like anyone else. They can smoke during those breaks, including lunch. Employers can't hire just non-smokers. They would have huge lawsuits if they did.  

Answer 12

Absolutley.

Smokers pollute our air, spread 2nd hand cancerous c**p all over us.

They increase the cost of health care.  

People who don't smoke sure deserve a job far more than people who do smoke.

Answer 13

Yes. Definitely. Especially if the occupation is in health or residential care. Cigarette smoke can literally kill people, particularly those who have severe respiratory problems and are hanging on life support.

Furthermore, even if it weren't a matter of life and death, employee smoking can push away clients who don't like being in the presence of a smoker. If a person feels that it's their "right" to smoke on the job and they don't like their employer's policies, then they should find another job where they can smoke, like in a casino.

Answer 14

It is justifiable especially during duty hours and when someone who don't smoke is around.