Wenstrup, Underwood, Collins, Durbin Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Make the VA Smoke-Free

Press Release

U.S. Representatives Brad Wenstrup, D.P.M. (R-Ohio) and Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.), along with Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) today reintroduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to prohibit smoking at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 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. Supported by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the bill would bring the VA in line with smoke-free policies across the federal government and in the private health care system.

"As an Army Reserve doctor, I know that exposing patients to firsthand orsecondhand 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."

"Our veterans have put their lives on the line to defend our country. That's why it's critical we work to ensure they receive the highest quality care, including by making VHA facilities smoke-free like so many other hospitals and health centers across Illinois. I'm proud to co-lead this important bipartisan legislation to ensure veterans have access to smoke-free health care facilities and are protected against the dangers of secondhand smoke," said Rep.Underwood.

"Veterans have made countless sacrifices to defend our country, and we must do all that we can to ensure that they receive the quality health care they deserve," said Sen. Collins. "The focus of VA hospitals should be on promoting the health and wellbeing of the veterans they care for. 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."

"The vast majority of veterans enrolled in the VA health care system do not smoke. I care deeply about the health and well-being of every veteran and this bill will help save lives. I'm glad to help lead this bipartisan, bicameral effort to protect veterans from the deadly consequences of tobacco use and secondhand smoke," said Sen Durbin.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States--killing more than 480,000 people annually--and there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. As such, the overwhelming majority of America's private health care systems and facilities, most Department of Defense medical facilities, and all federal government buildings are smoke-free. Yet there are nearly 1,000 designated indoor or outdoor smoking spaces at VHA facilities across the country--at least one in every state. In addition to the health concerns, such spaces are difficult to maintain and cost the VA more than $1.2 million annually. The VA recently determined that continuing to provide smoke areas on VHA property was not sustainable and issued VHA Directive 1085 to institute a smoke-free policy by October 1, 2019. However, Congressional action is still necessary to repeal the 1992 law and codify VA efforts.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, this effort would not impact spending and would save the VA money in the long run.

Today's legislation is supported by the American Cancer Society 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.

"We have a responsibility as a nation to protect the health of our veterans, and ensuring that the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) system is smoke-free is an essential step in supporting veterans' long-term health. This legislation provides support for the VHA's plan to maintain smoke-free facilities, and it ensures current and future generations of veterans are protected from the risks of secondhand smoke when they seek care at a VHA facility. We are grateful to Representatives Wenstrup and Underwood and Senators Durbin and Collins for their leadership on this important issue," said Mark Schoeberl, Executive Vice President of Advocacy for the American Heart Association.

"There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, and protecting everyone's health is essential, especially our veterans," said American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer. "Transitioning Veterans' Health Administrations to tobacco-free is a critical step to improve our veterans' health as well as the nurses and doctors who treat them. This step is long overdue, and the American Lung Association looks forward to working with Representatives Wenstrup and Underwood and Senators Durbin and Collins to ensure this legislation becomes law."

"The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids strongly supports the bipartisan legislation introduced by Reps. Wenstrup and Underwood and Sens. Durbin and Collins to make VHA facilities smoke-free. This legislation rightly recognizes that veterans should not be subjected to harmful secondhand smoke in order to receive medical care. It gives the force of law to the VHA's directive making VHA facilities smoke-free and will help protect the health of current and future generations of veterans," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Congressman Brad Wenstrup has served in the U.S. Army Reserve since 1998, currently holding the rank of Colonel. In 2005-2006, he served a tour in Iraq as a combat surgeon and was awarded a Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge for his service. During his time in Congress, Brad is fulfilling his Reserve duties by treating patients at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda.

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