Derwinski bans tobacco sales in VA hospitals

WASHINGTON Veterans Affairs Secretary Edward J. Der - winski hasordered an end to tobacco sales at the nation's 172 veteranshospitals.

"If you are running a medical system, you can't be oblivious tothe dangers of smoking," Derwinski said. He said it was impossible"to ignore the overwhelming evidence about smoking" as a healthhazard.

He previously had banned smoking in VA hospitals.

The VA runs the country's largest hospital system.

Derwinski's decision, which brought protests from some veteransand members of Congress from tobacco-growing states, will becomeeffective Oct. 1. Forty-one VA hospitals already have banned tobaccosales.

"We cannot on the one hand prohibit smoking and on the otherhand sell cigarettes," the secretary said. "With the demonstratedharmful effects of smoking well established, VA must take allpossible steps to discourage tobacco use."