Doylestown Hospital says they won't hire smokers

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Doylestown Hospital has started a policy... Anyone who applies for a job there, will be tested for nicotine-use. If they smoke, they will NOT be hired.

The hospital joins a handful of other medical centers in Pennsylvania who also have this policy, including Abington Memorial Hospital and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

The policy at Doylestown will not affect employees hired before July 1st, but smoking cessation programs are offered to all employees.

Doylestown Hospital spokesman Ron Watson tells us the new policy has both cost and health benefits.

"This is just making it easier at the very start of employment to keep our staff healthy," he said.

Opponents of the policy say it infringes on peoples' personal rights. However, this policy is legal in 21 states including Pennsylvania.