With the Republicans back in control of the US House of Representatives smoking has once again become possible inside the Capitol building, reports the Independent.

Indoor smoking may be banned in Washington, DC however, the House and Senate are federal property, and therefore governed by rules mainly left up to House and Senate leadership, reports the Independent. In 2007, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi banned smoking from the premises although members were able to smoke inside their offices. The Republican majority has now reinstated the possibility of smoking throughout the building.
Under the newly elected Kevin McCarthy’s leadership, the House has become one of few office buildings in the country where smoking is allowed.
Tobacco use is arguably the main cause of preventable disease and death in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which states on its website, “Over 16 million people live with at least one disease caused by smoking, and 58 million non-smoking Americans are exposed to second hand smoke.”