Tobacco is a holy sacrament to a segment of our population. Requiring nicotine-free urine tests to secure employment or keep your job is an infringement on my freedom to worship in the manner I always have, that carefully taught to me by my Elders and practiced since time immemorial by my native American ancestors. Do they plan to deprive employment to the one percent of the population who is native American? What of non-Indians who practice the sacred pipe ceremony alongside of me, an integral part of most native American religions? If an allowance is made for native Americans are we to ban our fellow non-Indian worshipers? Other questions come frighteningly to the fore: Have these companies put a limit on the amount of nicotine that can be in our urine? We can have our pipe ceremony once a week, with two inhalations but no more? Can an exception be made if there is a sick family member, calling for a daily pipe ceremony? The smoke of our sacred pipes carries our prayers to Creator.

What accommodations are in place to protect my freedom to worship in the manner I choose? Is this considered "choice"? Where does this end? This is a frightening scenario that ultimately threatens every individual who uses legal substances in practicing their faith.

I only hope a native American in a position to do so applies for employment with a company who refuses to hire nicotine users. Then, when he/she is denied employment on the basis of a positive nicotine test, file a lawsuit charging them with discrimination on the basis of several issues: Race, ethnicity, religion. Or better yet, perhaps the ACLU can step up to the plate and represent me or another native worshiper without going through all the hoops.

If this is allowed, what other rights will erode in our country?