One of the region's largest employers is narrowing the qualifications for prospective workers by requiring future employees to be nicotine free.

announced today that only workers who test negative in nicotine screenings before employment will be hired beginning May 1.

Prospective employees who test positive will have the opportunity to retest in six months, according to a news release from the hospital.

St. Luke's officials claim they will be the only employer in the region with such a policy.

In a statement released by the hospital, Senior Vice President of Human Resources Bob Zimmel says a healthier workplace, lower medical costs and better productivity are behind the "bold move."

The approximately 7,000 workers already employed at the hospital will not be affected by the new policy, officials say, though a smoking cessation program is available for smokers looking to quit.

The news release notes that Pennsylvania is only one of 20 states in the country where non-nicotine hiring policies are considered legal.