U-Haul will no longer hire nicotine users in 21 states

In what's being seen as a controversial move, truck and trailer rental company U-Haul will no longer hire people who use nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, in states where it's legal to do so, the company announced. The new policy, which will go into effect Feb. 1, won’t affect those who have already been hired, but new applicants in Arizona (where the company is based) and 20 other states will be subject to questioning about their nicotine and vaping use. Those 21 states allow employers to not hire people who use nicotine; 17 of the states allow employers to test for nicotine. U-Haul says the policy is an effort to create a more healthy work environment, but also help reduce health care costs associated with nicotine use, while critics have pointed out that the decision is discriminatory and even punishes those who have attempted to quit using nicotine.