[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 26 (Monday, July 3, 2000)]
[Pages 1510-1511]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Memorandum on Expanding Access to Smoking Cessation Programs

June 27, 2000

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

Subject:  Expanding Access to Smoking Cessation Programs

    Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show 
that smoking-related diseases claim more than 400,000 lives annually and 
cost the United States tens of billions of dollars in medical expenses 
and lost productivity. Smoking-related diseases devastate our families 
and communities by contributing to the premature deaths of our husbands, 
wives, mothers, fathers, siblings, and close friends. As we now know, 
the vast majority of adult smokers begin smoking as children, and most 
become addicted to nicotine. Research also shows that more than 70 
percent of adult smokers would like to quit smoking.
    On August 9, 1997, I issued Executive Order 13058, establishing a 
smoke-free environment for the more than 1.8 million civilian Federal 
employees and members of the public visiting or using Federal 
facilities. In that order, I encouraged agencies to establish programs 
to help employees stop smoking. And in 1998, the Office of Personnel 
Management (OPM) conducted a survey to determine what steps agencies had 
taken to help employees stop smoking. The results of that survey showed 
that a majority of those who responded had smoking cessation programs in 
place at the worksite or were planning to initiate them.
    For example, due to our efforts, 1.4 million members of the armed 
forces and their families have benefited from Department of Defense 
initiatives that have provided them with smoke free workplaces and 
readily accessible smoking cessation programs. The Postal Service's more 
than 800,000 employees and their customers have enjoyed smoke free 
environments since 1993.
    Today, the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Public 
Health Service released new tobacco cessation guidelines that reflect 
the latest research on treating tobacco use and addiction. These 
guidelines will enable clinicians, employers, insurers, health benefits 
managers, and others to employ programs and therapies that have been 
proven effective, and help prevent more unnecessary tobacco-related 
illnesses and deaths. These new guidelines will also serve as a valuable 
resource for evaluating and improving current programs, including those 
offered by Federal agencies.
    We need to build on our progress. Therefore, I direct the head of 
each executive department and agency (agency) to send a message to all 
personnel that (1) encourages them to stop smoking or never to start; 
(2) describes assistance the agency can provide in helping them quit 
smoking; (3) provides information on proven smoking cessation treatments 
and practices; and (4) encourages participation in the American Cancer 
Society's Great American Smokeout scheduled for November 16, 2000.
    In addition, I direct all agencies to review their current tobacco 
cessation programs and to provide a report on their achievements and 
effectiveness to the Director of OPM 60 days from the date of this 
memorandum. In conducting these reviews, agencies should

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consult the new HHS guidelines to determine the key elements of an 
effective program and identify areas for program enhancement. Any new 
initiatives planned should also be a part of the report. The OPM will 
use this information to compile a list of best practices to be shared 
with all agencies, and to report to me on its findings 90 days from the 
date of this memorandum.
    The OPM will provide assistance to agencies as needed. For example, 
its web-site contains information on establishing a ``Model Smoking 
Cessation Program.''
                                            William J. Clinton

Note: This memorandum was embargoed for release until 4 p.m.