A new Dayton, Ohio, city government policy takes a strong stance against tobacco products as it tries to create a healthy work environment.
After July 15, new Dayton employees can’t use nicotine products. To enforce this policy, the city will test new hires for these products.
The city can still hire people if they test positive during the screening process, however, these hirees will enter “cessation programs.” At the end of treatment, Dayton will test them again. If people fail the test, they will be fired.
Employees who test negative during the screening process must remain tobacco-free while employed. If a suspicion arises new hires might be using smoking products, they may be tested depending on “objective facts.”
Dayton defines tobacco and nicotine use “generally means inhaling, exhaling, burning, vaping, any lighted cigar, cigarette, and e-cigarette or pipe, chewing or any other type of tobacco use.”
“The City of Dayton (City) has a vital interest in maintaining a healthy and safe environment for its employees and visitors, while respecting an employee’s individual choice. Consistent with these concerns and with Ohio law, the following policy has been established to foster a healthier workplace and environment by encouraging employees to promote a healthy lifestyle,” according to the city’s new policy.
Dayton is trying to “provide a safe, healthy, smoke-free and tobacco-free work environment for all employees and citizens visiting our facilities.”
Ohio, as a state, has taken a strong stance against tobacco usage this year. Recently, the Buckeye state passed a law making the official age of buying smoking products to 21.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Battleground State News. Follow Zachery on Twitter.
