U.N. Headquarters Imposes Smoking Ban

[newyawker99]

The United Nations, the last bastion for smokers in New York City, has officially banned smoking - but some diplomats insist they still have the right to puff away.

A directive signed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan decreed that "no smoking shall be permitted in any of the United Nations premises at headquarters" starting Sept. 1, to eliminate the risks associated with secondhand smoke.

Denis Beissel, head of the U.N. Office of Human Resources Management, warned U.N. staff in a follow-up directive that anyone who smokes in the building could face "disciplinary action."

Russia's U.N. Ambassador Sergey Lavrov headed to the Delegate's Lounge for a smoke on Tuesday and noted that Annan "doesn't own this building."

no smoking please!