LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Gwinnett Medical Center said it will no longer hire smokers who smoke, said hospital spokeswoman Andrea Wehrmann.
Wehrmann said the new policy, which took effect July 1, applies to all of the hospital's campuses. She said the policy does not affect existing employees, but hospital officials said they plan to crack down harder on employees caught smoking on hospital grounds.
SURVEY: Do You Agree With Hospital?
For those associates who are tobacco users, the hospital will offer a smoking cessation program to assist with quitting. Wehrmann said failure to heed multiple warnings could cost employees their jobs.
Steve Nadeau, the hospital's vice president for human resources, said the ban on hiring smokers demonstrates the hospital's commitment to good health.
"This is a matter of practicing what you preach. Hospitals and health care providers should lead the way in promoting good health. By not hiring people that use tobacco products and helping current employees to quit, we are trying to lead by example," said Nadeau.
WSBTV
