A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit smoking on the premises of any facility of the Veterans Health Administration, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- S. 2171
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-25: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text: CR S3534)
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-30T21:39:13Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation aims to establish a complete ban on smoking, including the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems, at all facilities operated by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 1715 of Title 38, United States Code, to prohibit any person—including veterans, patients, residents, Department employees, contractors, or visitors—from smoking on VHA premises.
- Defines "facility of the Veterans Health Administration" as any land or building (such as medical centers, nursing homes, domiciliary facilities, outpatient clinics, or readjustment counseling centers) under Department of Veterans Affairs jurisdiction, controlled by the VHA, and not managed by the General Services Administration.
- Expands the definition of "smoke" to include traditional tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, pipes) as well as electronic devices such as e-cigarettes, vape pens, and e-cigars.
- Repeals Section 526 of the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-585).
- Updates the table of sections in Chapter 17 of Title 38 accordingly.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Replaces the prior version of Section 1715 with a full prohibition on smoking.
- Eliminates the previous statutory framework established in 1992, shifting from any prior allowances or restrictions to a comprehensive ban covering both combustible tobacco and vaping products.
Potential Impacts
- Requires VHA facilities to enforce a smoke-free environment across all campuses and buildings.
- Affects daily operations for government agencies by mandating compliance measures for employees and contractors.
- Impacts citizens, including veterans and visitors, by restricting personal activities on federal property.
- No direct effects on international relations are outlined in the bill.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans, patients, and residents receiving care at VHA facilities.
- Department of Veterans Affairs employees and contractors working on-site.
- Visitors to VHA locations.
- The Veterans Health Administration as the primary implementing agency.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill operates within existing federal authority over Department of Veterans Affairs property without introducing new constitutional questions.
- It centralizes policy by repealing prior legislation, potentially simplifying enforcement but requiring updated internal regulations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-25: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text: CR S3534)
- 2025-06-25: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit smoking on the premises of any facility of the Veterans Health Administration, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-06-25 — PDF (3 pages)