Wenstrup, Collins introduce no-smoking bills aimed at the VA

U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on June 14 introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would prohibit smoking on the premises of any U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facility.

“The focus of VA hospitals should be on promoting the health and wellbeing of the veterans they care for,” Sen. Collins said. “Our bipartisan bill would eliminate designated smoking areas at VA facilities across the country, making them entirely smoke-free and protecting the safety of veteran patients.”

Bill sponsor Rep. Wenstrup and cosponsor U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL) introduced H.R. 3883, while Sen. Collins and bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) unveiled S. 2043 in their chamber. The measure would repeal a 1992 law that requires the VHA to furnish and maintain designated indoor or outdoor smoking areas, according to information provided by the lawmakers, and would bring the VA in line with smoke-free policies across the federal government and in the private healthcare system.

“As an Army Reserve doctor, I know that exposing patients to firsthand or secondhand smoke is dangerous, especially when they receive treatment at a VHA facility. Every veteran deserves the best care possible, which includes access to smoke-free hospitals,” said Rep. Wenstrup. “I’m proud to lead in this bipartisan, bicameral effort to ensure our VHA facilities are in line with private sector smoke-free standards.”

Currently, there are nearly 1,000 designated indoor or outdoor smoking spaces at VHA facilities across the country — at least one in every state according to the information, which notes that such spaces are difficult to maintain and cost the VA more than $1.2 million annually.

Continuing to provide smoke areas on VHA property is not sustainable, according to the VA, which recently issued VHA Directive 1085 to institute a smoke-free policy by Oct. 1, 2019. However, according to the lawmakers’ information, congressional action is still needed to repeal the 1992 law and codify VA efforts.

The measure is supported by the American Cancer Society, the Cancer Action Network, the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and more than three dozen additional medical and public health organizations.