The Drug Policy Alliance has publicly criticized Michigan-based health insurance company, Weyco Inc for firing four employees for smoking cigarettes -- either at work or in the privacy of their homes. The Alliance has been speaking out on radio programs across the country about the risks associated with such guidelines, which far outweigh the good intentions. The Alliance and other critics find the policy flawed for several reasons -- one of which is that it makes no distinction between those who smoke addictively and those who have the occasional cigarette. But the bottom line is that it’s wrong to fire people who choose to do something in their time away from the workplace as long as it doesn’t impact job performance or put their coworkers in harms way.

And whether you’re a smoker or not, this policy also leaves room for concern for anyone worried about being pigeon-holed into a general category of abusers. The real danger lies in practices like these, which set in motion the giant snowball of things that any employer could deem dangerous and unhealthy. What will happen when other cost effective "factors," such as your weight, or your inclination to dangerous, but legal, sports like riding motorcycles or going skiing play a part in your being able to get or keep your job?  In a statement on the company’s website, their president, Howard Weyers, assures that they will not go after unhealthy eating and employees who drink. But recent news reports state the opposite; Weyco has announced that their next step is tackling obesity within their workplace. Does that mean the approximate 127 million adults in the U.S. who are obese will be next in line to lose their jobs? It now appears that the snowball has already grown in size and discrimination.

Those four people who refused to allow the long-reaching arm of their employer into their personal lives may save Mr. Weyers some money. But their unduly dished-out punishment has jeopardized their livelihoods because they chose to indulge in something that, while detrimental to their health, certainly isn’t a crime. In a time when anti-smoking support has increased, Americans must find the right balance between supporting  legislation that helps reduce the deadly effects of smoking while still supporting the right to privacy, as well as the more compassionate ways in which to help treat addictions -- to drugs, food and otherwise.

Ultimately, without being challenged by citizens who honor their civil liberties and organizations like the Alliance who seek reform on many levels of drug policy, these intrusive policies may set the precedence for the unjust treatment of -- and the true dangers to -- the average American.