Centura Health to stop hiring people who use tobacco products

Centura Health, which owns several hospitals in southern Colorado, says it will stop hiring people who use tobacco beginning next year.

Centura owns Penrose Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center in Colorado Springs, St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center in Pueblo and St. Thomas More Hospital in Caon City.

“As the region’s leading health care system, we are deeply committed to improving the health of our communities, especially as we move upstream to manage health,” said Gary Campbell, president and CEO of Centura Health. “It is important that we serve as a role model by internally promoting the benefits of health and wellness to create and sustain a healthy workforce”, Campbell said.

Centura says the new policy will not affect current employees. It says new hires will be tested for tobacco as part of their post-job offer screening. Applicants who test positive for tobacco will be eliminated from consideration. They will be allowed to reapply after 90 days.

The new hiring policy will take effect on January 1, 2015.