I am not a smoker. However, mandating that future city employees not smoke is overreaching and shortsighted (“Toledo may go smoke free in its hiring policy; Mayor wants to help others quit,” July 1).

As long as smoking is not allowed on city premises, and if smokers’ health insurance costs or co-payments could be higher than for nonsmoking city employees, the message about the dangers of tobacco use still is sent.

If all health challenges were removed from the workplace, doughnuts and sugary soft drinks would be banned.

MARY PILCHER

Prouty Avenue

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If it’s legal, don’t discriminate

I can’t believe that Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins doesn’t want to hire smokers (“Smokeless,” editorial, July 2). He’s done all the right things in office until now.

I don’t smoke, and I love being in smoke-free places. However, people have rights to do legal things such as smoke, eat greasy foods, and go skydiving.

JACK SNYDER

Erie, Mich.

First Published July 6, 2014, 4:00 a.m.