Smokers and tobacco users have been banned from applying for jobs with the World Health Organization (WHO).

The ban took effect on Dec. 1 and applies to any job applicants who smoke, chew tobacco or inhale snuff, and who say they would continue to use daily or occasionally. Advertisements for open jobs will now carry the notice: "WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or other tobacco users."

Existing employees will be encouraged to quit, but the WHO will not investigate its employees to determine if they are smokers.

Interventional cardiologist Michael Watkins, M.D., said the WHO is clearly taking a proactive stance on a substance abuse problem, which is well known to cause a huge increase in the medical-cost burden in any particular society, organization or business.

"In medicine, we spend an inordinate amount of time and resources caring for patients who have been harmed by tobacco products," he said.

Smoking currently causes 5 million preventable deaths and costs $200 billion in treatment, and lost productivity, every year.

"I certainly support the spirit in which the WHO has taken this position," said Watkins, who is also a member of myDNA's Medical Advisory Board.

The WHO says the decision was based on its position in the global campaign against smoking. The announcement came after several hundred staff members staged a temporary walkout in protest over job cuts.

"It will be interesting how this plays out in the U.S., with regard to all the issues of personal freedom and choice," Watkins said.

Also this week, Westin officials said they plan to snuff out smoking.

The new year will ring in Westin Hotels and Resorts as the first smoke-free major hotel chain.

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