THE DAILY FED
Clinton to Sign Smoking Ban
President Clinton plans to sign an executive order this week banning indoor smoking in every executive branch building and forbidding outdoor smoking in courtyards and near building entrances, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.
The only exceptions would be rooms with separate ventilation systems and residential units such as military barracks. The President does not have authority to control work conditions in other branches of the government, so his order will not affect Congress or federal courts.
Most federal agencies already restrict smoking in their facilities, but department heads have had discretion in writing their own rules. Clinton's order would set a standard policy and extend the smoking ban into places currently exempt, such as military officers' clubs.
Administration officials estimate that more than half of the 1.9 million executive branch employees work in agencies that will have to toughen rules as a result of the order.
After President Clinton signs the order, agency managers will have one year to conform to the new standards.
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