Smoke-free D.C. may not include House

WASHINGTON – Smoking in most indoor workplaces here will soon be illegal because of a vote by the District of Columbia City Council. But in a few ornate congressional alcoves, the term “smoke-filled room” still will apply.

The district’s law would ban smoking in indoor workplaces and restaurant dining rooms on April 3 and in bars and nightclubs next January. First, like all district laws, it must go to Congress, which holds veto power over the city’s affairs.

House Government Reform Committee spokesman Robert White expects the smoking ban to survive. “We haven’t heard a puff of opposition,” he said.

Even if Congress approves the smoking ban, its members don’t have to abide by it. Congress sets its own rules and is not bound by local ordinances.

“I’m all for home rule,” said Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., as he gripped a well-chewed cigar. “But I think inside the Capitol it is reasonable to have rules that are … set by the Congress.”

The Senate restricts smoking to senators’ private offices in the Capitol and one glassed-in lounge. Smoking in the Senate chamber has been forbidden since 1914, according to the historian’s office.

The House – where Republicans last week elected chain-smoking Rep. John Boehner of Ohio as their new leader – allows smoking in the rear of the chamber and in the Speaker’s Lobby off the House floor, where a painting of former Speaker (and later Vice President) John Nance Garner holding a stogie hangs.

Fifteen states, New York, Chicago, dozens of other cities and countries such as Ireland and Sweden have approved smoking bans in workplaces, restaurants or bars, according to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation.

Still, change wafts slowly in a place where columns are capped with decorative tobacco leaves and spittoons once lined the halls.

“It’s a longtime tradition,” Rep. Mike Sodrel, R-Ind., said as he puffed on a cigarette in the Speaker’s Lobby. “I have smelled cigar smoke (during) late-evening sessions.”

Others said they would be willing to follow district laws if the House adopted them.

“We abide by their traffic laws and their parking laws, or at least most of us do,” said Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., stubbing out a butt. “We should give some consideration to it. I wouldn’t mind. I’ll live longer.”