stLouISTDurbin, Collins, Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Make VA Smoke-Free
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) today reintroduced bipartisan legislation to prohibit smoking at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. The legislation would repeal an antiquated 1992 law that requires the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to furnish and maintain designated indoor or outdoor smoking areas. The bill would bring VA in line with smoke-free policies across the federal government and in the private health care system. “No one should be exposed to secondhand smoke, let alone our veterans when they’re attending a doctor’s appointment,” said Durbin. “We should do everything we can to support the health and well-being of our veterans, and this bipartisan legislation will protect veterans from the deadly consequences of tobacco use and secondhand smoke.” “The focus of VA hospitals should be promoting the health and well-being of
