Clinton Plans to Widen U.S. Smoking Ban

WASHINGTON — President Clinton plans to sign an executive order this week imposing the broadest smoking ban on federal property ever enacted, including a prohibition on lighting up outside office building entrances, according to administration officials.

The armed forces and many federal agencies already restrict smoking in their facilities. However, until now departments have had discretion in writing their own rules. Clinton’s order, officials said, would set a standard policy across the government and extend existing prohibitions to places currently exempt, such as military officers’ clubs.

The order would ban indoor smoking in virtually every executive-branch building owned or leased by the federal government and forbid outdoor smoking in courtyards and near building entrances, according to officials.

Because the president cannot control work conditions in other branches of the government, his order will not affect Congress or the federal courts.