The Daily Free Press is reporting that Boston University's social and behavioral sciences professor Micheal Siegel says many employers are implementing a no smokers rule for new employees and even firing current employees if they do not quit smoking.

“Discrimination is essentially the categorical denial of employment to a group, based solely on the membership to that group that is not related to job qualifications,” he said....

“I think you could make the same argument with obesity,” he said. “Companies could say, ‘We’re not going to hire obese people because we want to promote healthy practices.’”

Michigan prisons are going tobacco free on February 1st. That includes everywhere inside and out, and applies to employees as well as the inmates. As if the threat of getting shived wasn't enough to stress you out!

Lawmakers say it will reduce the health care costs for inmates. The ban doesn't seem to cover electronic cigarettes but I doubt they'll allow those either.

Read more at the The Chicago Tribune

There is a good update on the status of smokers' (and nonsmokers) rights in US Ariports over at USA TODAY - I know I used to hate to fly because US airports can't seem to find a place to put smokers other than outside security three blocks from the terminal. Of course the ban does not apply to electronic cigarettes. :)