Miracle-Gro Plans To Fire Smokers

Quit smoking, or you're fired. That's what Scotts Miracle-Gro is telling it employees. If they don't quit smoking by October, they'll lose their jobs.The lawn and garden company is trying to keep health insurance costs down by promoting healthy lifestyles for its employees. Its chairman and chief executive, James Hagedorn, says the company shouldn't have to shoulder health risks for employees who smoke. It pays for 75 percent of employees' health insurance. The Ohio-based company has 6,000 employees.It says it can legally fire smokers in 21 states. The company has said it will provide free counseling, nicotine patches and classes on quitting for workers who currently smoke. A spokesman says the company hasn't yet decided how it will enforce the smoking ban.