Avs c08 pen 920731 AGRICULTUNE EDUCATION AD ae “giytseceon) SMALL BUSINESS Congress of the United States 12 soem Pure arte House of Representatives mes March 11, 1991 The Honorable John Sununu Chief of staff The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Governor Sununu: It has come to my attention that OMB is circulating a proposed Executive Order, drafted by HHS, which would “establish a smoke-free environment in all work space occupied by Federal employees." I understand the concerns continuously expressed by Secretary Sullivan surrounding the dangers of smoking, but I feel this proposed order is unnecessary and I strongly urge its rejection. Since 1986, the General Services Administration has required federal agencies to implement policies regarding smoking in their respective buildings. In essence, an individual may not smoke in a federal building except in designated smoking areas. These policies have worked without complaint and accommodate for the smoking and non-smoking employees and visitors. The proposed Executive Order does not seek to accommodate in any fashion, the individual rights of employees or visitors to federal buildings who choose to smoke. I find such a policy to be extreme and in direct conflict with the long accepted belief of individual rights and freedoms. Granted, a nonsmoker has the right to choose not to be inundated with tobacco smoke, but this right does not extend to the point where non-smokers dictate that another individual cannot choose to smoke. Reasonable accommodation is the best solution and the GSA regulations accomplish this goal. My constituents, even many non-smokers, do not understand why Secretary Sullivan and some of our colleagues in Congress feel compelled to dictate the personal habits of individuals. 1 have observed that in most workplaces, employees if left alone, can work out their own arrangements regarding smoking. I respectively request that you continue the present policy of allowing federal agencies to work with their employees to establish smoking policies in the workplace. I believe this is