Tobacco Documents Online

W C C 11111es j»•cy()5et1 tc~ cul•b smukinty in 1'cdcral of f iccs Asseclshd Press WASItIH6TOIY - The government yesterday rroposcd regulations to curb smoking in mo.d commonly used sec- tions of most federal buildin&s and of- fices around the country. The regulations, drawn up by the Generat Services Administration, are similar to guidelines that the agency al- ready has for no-smoking nrea.5 in the 10,000 federnt buildings and offices it owns or l+•ases. The GSA said the regulations were needed "because smoke in a confined area may he Irritating and annoyint; to non-smokere nnet may create a potential haz.nrel to those suffering from heart and respiratory diseases or allergies." Donald Winegarden of the GSA said the regulations would have "more weight and authority with federal agen- cies" than the current guidelines. The regulations would add confer- ence roonss to the list of no-smoking areas. Other places where smoking would be prohibited are auditoriums, clacsrooms, elevators and Inside shuttle vehicles traveling between federal agencies. The regulations will be published in Monday's Federal Register with 30 days nllowed for public comment. Winegar- den said they are not likely to take ef- fect for 60 to 90 days. lie said the rules closely parallel smoking ceslrictions thnt Joseph A. Call- fano, secretary of health, educatlon and welfare, imposed on HEW buildings last January when he started an anti-smok- ing campaign. An employee with a private office can declare that office a no-smoking area, the reFutntiona say. And supervi- sors are told to plan work cpace to ar- commodnte those who dAsire a nn- smoking area, hut not if efficiency Is Impaired, additional tpace Is required or costly alterations are needed. The GSA is the Fovernment's landlord and housekeeping ngoncy. Mitit;iry buildinf;c, most post offices and Vefer- ans Administration hospitals are outside its control and the regulations do not apply to 1hAnt. COUftI EIt-.1OUItNAL _ _-97y7? 8 - 0