Ohio hospital system says it won't hire smokers

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — A northeast Ohio hospital system has joined the ranks of companies that will no longer hire smokers.

Akron-based Summa Health Systems launched a nicotine-free hiring policy this year for all new employees.

People applying to work for Summa must agree to a urine test to confirm they don’t use tobacco products.

The policy doesn’t affect current employees at the six-hospital system.

Other hospital and health-care systems also have stopped hiring smokers, including the Cleveland Clinic and Medical Mutual of Ohio.