Us Code § 1715 - Tobacco for hospitalized veterans

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 1715 — Tobacco for hospitalized veterans, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 1715. Tobacco for hospitalized veterans

The Secretary may furnish tobacco to veterans receiving hospital or domiciliary care.

(Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1143, §615; renumbered §1715 and amended Pub. L. 102–83, §§4(b)(1), (2)(E), 5(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 404–406.)


Editorial Notes

Amendments

1991—Pub. L. 102–83, §5(a), renumbered section 615 of this title as this section.

Pub. L. 102–83, §4(b)(1), (2)(E), substituted "Secretary" for "Administrator".


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Use of Tobacco Products in Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities

Pub. L. 102–585, title V, §526, Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 4961, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take appropriate actions to ensure that, consistent with medical requirements and limitations, each facility of the Department described in subsection (b)—

"(1) establishes and maintains—

"(A) a suitable indoor area in which patients or residents may smoke and which is ventilated in a manner that, to the maximum extent feasible, prevents smoke from entering other areas of the facility; or

"(B) an area in a building that—

"(i) is detached from the facility;

"(ii) is accessible to patients or residents of the facility; and

"(iii) has appropriate heating and air conditioning; and

"(2) provides access to an area established and maintained under paragraph (1), consistent with medical requirements and limitations, for patients or residents of the facility who are receiving care or services and who desire to smoke tobacco products.

"(b) Covered Facilities.—A Department facility referred to in subsection (a) is any Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, nursing home, or domiciliary care facility.

"(c) Reports.—(1) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 4, 1992], the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the feasibility of the establishment and maintenance of areas for smoking in Department facilities under this section. The report shall include information on—

"(A) the cost of, and a proposed schedule for, the establishment of such an area at each Department facility covered by this section;

"(B) the extent to which the ventilating system of each facility is adequate to ensure that use of the area for smoking does not result in health problems for other patients or residents of the facility; and

"(C) the effect of the establishment and maintenance of an area for smoking in each facility on the accreditation score issued for the facility by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Organizations.

"(2) Not later than 120 days after the effective date of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the committees referred to in paragraph (1) a report on the implementation of this section. The report shall include a description of the actions taken at each covered facility to ensure compliance with this section.

"(d) Effective Date.—The requirement to establish and maintain areas for smoking under subsection (a) shall take effect 60 days after the date on which the Comptroller General submits to the committees referred to in subsection (c)(1) that report required under that subsection."

About This Section

38 U.S.C. § 1715 is part of Title 38 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 38 U.S.C. § 1715. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 1715

What does United States Code § 1715 cover?

Section 1715 ("Tobacco for hospitalized veterans") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 1715?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 1715" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 1715 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.