Indiana Alliance Pushes For Repeal Of Protections For Smokers

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A group of Indiana health and business organizations is pushing for a repeal of a law protecting smokers. The Indianapolis Business Journal reports the Alliance for a Healthier Indiana hopes to get rid of a state law that bans employers from screening job candidates for tobacco use. IBJ reports the bill introduced by Republican state Sen. Liz Brown of Fort Wayne would repeal the 1991 law and has the alliance’s support, which includes the Indiana Hospital Association, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Indiana State Medical Association, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana and the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health.

The measure would allow businesses to require employees to stop using tobacco products, even when not on the clock, as some Indiana employers have complained smokers raise their insurance costs.

IBJ reports the measure has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Pensions and Labor, and previous attempts to repeal the law have failed to advance in the General Assembly

Smoking is the only voluntary action that state law protects during the hiring process, according to the Indiana Chamber.

IBJ reports Indiana is among more than 20 states that have smoker-protection laws.

More: http://www.ibj.com

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