Smokers can still get hired at Abilene Regional Medical Center

Smokers will still be considered for jobs at one of Abilene's hospitals.

On Wednesday, KTXS was first to report on Hendrick Medical Center joining a growing number of hospitals who are refusing to hire tobacco users. That policy starts in march.

Hospital leaders say they want to set a healthy example.

Thursday, we checked with Abilene Regional Medical Center . They sent us the following statement: "Abilene Regional Medical Center hires individuals to fill vacancies based on their expertise and knowledge. An individual's use, or non-use, of tobacco does not play a part in hiring decisions. Employment at our hospital is contingent upon being drug free. individuals are tested before hiring and a number of employees are drug tested randomly each month. The drug testing does not screen for nicotine."