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Pelosi Kicks Smokers Out of Speaker's Lobby

Smoke-Filled Rooms Becoming Scarce on Capitol Hill

By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.com

January 10, 2007

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is ending the long history of smoke-filled rooms within earshot of the House Chamber.

The California Democrat has announced that effective immediately, House members will no longer be allowed to light up in the ornate Speaker's Lobby just off the House floor.

The long and narrow room is a favorite meeting place for House members during votes and is often blue with smoke drifting up toward the mural covered ceilings.

For the last 100 years the grand lobby was a meeting place where members of Congress gathered to discuss votes, talk with journalists, and have a smoke.

But smoke will fill the lobby no more.

"The days of smoke-filled rooms in the United States Capitol are over," Pelosi announced to the House Chamber. "Medical science has unquestionably established the dangerous effects of secondhand smoke, including an increased risk of cancer and respiratory diseases. I am a firm believer that Congress should lead by example."

Smoking is not allowed in most federal buildings. The District of Columbia recently banned smoking in public areas as has the city Pelosi represents, San Francisco.

Smoke-filled rooms won't be gone entirely because lawmakers will still be allowed to smoke in their own offices.

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