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Press Release

March 4, 2009

Rep. Susan Davis Asks President Obama to Ban Smoking in Federal Buildings

Secondhand smoke kills 53,000 annually

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) urged President Barack Obama to ban all smoking in federal buildings across the nation.  In a letter to the President, cosigned by congressional colleagues, Davis requested that Obama issue an Executive Order as a way to protect the federal workforce and visitors to federal facilities from secondhand smoke.

“Exposure to secondhand smoke is a serious health issue that drives up health care costs for all of us,” said Davis, who spearheaded the letter.  “Federal workers should be able to work in a healthy, smoke-free environment.”

In 1997, President Clinton issued an Executive Order prohibiting smoking in most federal workplaces.  Clinton’s Order, however, contained exceptions for designated smoking areas within a building.

“President Clinton’s Order was a great first step,” Davis said. “But it’s time to take the next step and eliminate all smoking in federal buildings.  Despite setting aside certain areas for smoking, we know that people still get exposed to secondhand smoke.”

According to the California Environmental Protection Agency, an estimated 53,000 Americans die from exposure to secondhand smoke.  A study by the U.S. Surgeon General found secondhand smoke still has health impacts even when it is limited to designated areas.

“A total of 23 states, the District of Colombia and Puerto Rico have passed comprehensive laws protecting workers from the dangers of secondhand smoke,” states the letter. “A federal ban would compliment the efforts by local governments.”

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