GSA gets tougher on feds' smoking

GSA has revised workplace smoking rules and made the restrictions even tougher.

The original order signed by President Clinton in August of 1997 was called "Protecting Federal Employees and the Public From Exposure to Tobacco Smoke in the Federal Workplace."

The result of that was a GSA bulletin, issued Oct. 20, 1997. This document set restrictions on smoking in all interior spaces owned, rented or leased by the executive branch, except in specially equipped designated areas. This, of course, sent most smokers outside of federal buildings, much to the dismay of people entering the buildings. This opened a debate over how far smokers had to stand away from the entrances to comply with the rules.

Nonsmokers also had problems with the specially equipped smoking areas.