Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly signed the executive order on August 14, 2014. Photo by Rick Abasta / Office of the Navajo Nation President

Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly signed an executive order last week banning smoking in buildings under the the control of the executive branch.

Executive Order No. 12-2014 bars commercial tobacco in all interior spaces and within 25 feet of entrances, windows and ventilation systems. It includes an exception for mountain tobacco, known as Hozhooji Dzil Natoh in the Navajo language.

“Our tongue, or words, can protect the people. Mr. President, the use of your executive order directive, with the weight of the policymaking authority, will be used to shield the people employed by the Navajo Nation in their workplaces,” Thomas Walker, president of the Navajo Health Coalition, said in a press release distributed by Shelly's office.

More than 30 communities across the reservation have passed resolutions to ban smoking in public places. None of the bans apply to the tribe's gaming facilities.

Get the Story:
Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly orders clean air for tribal departments (The Farmington Daily Times 8/22)