Penn Health System Will No Longer Hire Smokers

Starting in July, under a new policy intended to reduce healthcare costs and improve overall workforce health, the Penn Health System will stop hiring smokers and other tobacco users.

Current employees can keep doing what they're doing (and it appears that 11% of them are tobacco users), but new job applicants must be tobacco-free for at least six months if they're hoping to secure a position at places like HUP, Penn Presby, and a whole slew of other Penn Health locations.

While lowering healthcare costs and improving general wellness are noble causes, we worry that the Penn Health system might be overstepping some basic individual liberties. We know they're saying, "For the common good!" But all we're hearing is, "Fatties, you're next"