Smoking tobacco products must be prohibited within a building as a prerequisite to LEED certification, according to the Indoor Environmental Quality Prerequisite, Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control1. This prerequisite aims to prevent or minimize exposure of building occupants, indoor surfaces, and ventilation air distribution systems to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), which is a known human carcinogen and a source of indoor air pollution2. The prerequisite requires the project to meet one of the following options:
Option 1. No Smoking. Prohibit smoking in the building and within 25 feet (8 meters) of all entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows.
Option 2. Smoking Areas. Designate smoking areas outside the building and at least 25 feet (8 meters) from all entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows. If smoking areas are enclosed, they must be negatively pressurized and vented directly to the outdoors. Prohibit smoking in all common areas of residential buildings and provide signage to indicate smoking and nonsmoking areas.
The other activities, such as burning fossil fuels, preparing non-organic foods, and manufacturing toxic chemicals, are not explicitly prohibited by any LEED prerequisites, although they may have negative impacts on the environment, health, and energy performance of the building.
[References:, LEED Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction v4, Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control | U.S. Green Building Council, Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) - World Health Organization, Environmental Tobacco Smoke - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics, , ]
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