Should your job be able to fire you for smoking? (America's Next Top Model)?

Question

Miracle-Gro has instituted a ban on employee smoking, and America's Next Top Model has done the same. Should businesses be able to fire employees for engaging in legal activities on their private time? PLEASE NOTE that I do not refer to activities which pose security risks or safety risks (i.e. drinking two hours before flying a plane). If possible, please state your job and whether or not bans exist which apply to your free time and legal activities.

Consider this before you answer:

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/sistermariepigtailedpirate

Answer 1

My opinion is an employer cannot determine what you do when you are not on the clock.

I understand if an employee constantly runs outside for a smoke to the point where it's interfering with their jobs. However, a "sneak away for a smoke" every so often isn't that bad as longs as the employee can still do their jobs and smoking has no impact on their productivity.

I was a Supervision at Best Buy and went outdoors for a cigarette regularly. Instead of taking 15 minute breaks, I'd take 5 minute smoke breaks. No one seemed to mind me doing that since I wasn't "screwing" the company.

Answer 2

I am watching the marathon also, and it seems like everyone smokes this season. I'm sure it's because it curbs their appetite. But, it's awful to show it on TV because young girls watch this show. When your face is part of your job, why would you screw it up with wrinkles and pre-aging! I think they should not allow the models to smoke!! It would be great because they would be even bigger bitches without the nicotine! Tyra is always doing shows about self-acceptance to help younger girls with their self-esteem, yet she shows the models smoking on TV!! I'm sure young girls will think that it's cool to smoke also!!

Answer 3

I don't smoke ans cannot even be around smokers or I gag. But, I don't think employers should be allowed to fire a smoker if the smoker is not smoking on their property.
In the case of ANTM. I saw the episode tonight and although I agree with ANTM that it presents a bad role model to have the contestants smoking , I think the producers should have informed the contestants BEFORE that show that they would not be allowed to smoke. I've never smoked but I've heard it is very difficult to quit and they models had to quit by the next day. I think they are always followed by the ANTM staff so it would be hard to sneak a smoke. It seemed pretty unfair.

Answer 4

I just graduated from Indiana Univ. College of Medicine. There was a campus wide ban on smoking. They didn't state that their employees couldn't smoke but they certainly made sure that they had to take a hike to do it.
As I am not a smoker I have no problem with it. I believe there are certain places that I can't expect smoking to be banned (bars for example). But I do believe I should be able to walk outside my office without people making me smell like an ashtray.
I do appreciate those smokers who are considerate. However, like everything else not everyone is!

Answer 5

I can see that they can't smoke at work or in the building, even at lunch time due to smell. America's Next Top Model I can see they don't want model's smoking because it causes lines on their face and premature wrinkles. But when it comes to at home no one should be able to tell me what I can and can't do when it comes to things like smoking, a legal activity.

Answer 6

With Miracle - Gro, it is an issue of quality control.

With modeling, actors, musicians, they are basically sub-contractors. Meaning they aren't employees and the last time I checked, people, and companies reserve the right to not use a sub-contractor, unless otherwise stating in a legal contract. Think of it as a plumber, if a gnarly looking scruffy plumber showed up at my house I would not let him work there. It's my right to do so, just like it's his right to look scruffy as hell.

Modeling agencies have image to look out for and image is their best intrest. If the public has a negative view about their models, they don't make money.

Answer 7

I think that it shouldn't matter if somebody smokes.Most smokers (Me included) take a smoke break when its our break time.I could see if somebody was sneaking out to smoke,thats a different story.Thats not right to do.This smoking crap is out of control .judging somebody for smoking to me is the same as judging somebody on there race and sex.ITS NOT RIGHT!

Answer 8

I work in the hospitality industry and I believe that employers should be able to fire a smoker. They take too many "smoking breaks" which is unprofessional and unfair for non smokers. It is just not good business to hire smokers.

Answer 9

An employer has a right to make and enforce workplace rules, if an employee does not want to follow, or does not like the rules, he or she should quit and find a more suitable job.

Answer 10

in my personal opinion. you should be allowed to smoke anywhere except where you live. weather it is a house, apartment, etc. this way, you only destroy the air in your house. i know i can't take it. i actually get sick from it. i get very annoyed when people have to smoke somewhere near anyone who can't take it and ask if you mind them smoking there. smokers need to have respect for other people and learn that there are people that don't want that smoke in their faces.