United Nations ( CNN ) -- It took decades to stamp out smoking inside the United Nations . Now the U.N. may have another vice : drinking . The United States ambassador for management and reform , Joseph Torsella , issued a rare public scolding , by U.N. standards , on personal behavior Monday . He warned the U.N. 's `` fifth committee '' panel that negotiating rooms `` should in the future be an inebriation-free zone . '' U.S. diplomats say there has been excessive drinking surrounding traditional late-night meetings , especially during Christmas-time budget negotiations held by the fifth committee , which handles administration and budgetary matters . No countries were formally named . However , Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin appeared to take some responsibility for his staff when he told CNN Wednesday `` there should be no drinking during business sessions . And I 'm going to give very clear instructions to that effect to my delegations . '' Several other diplomats denied witnessing drinking during work hours . British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant told CNN , `` Of course in diplomacy there are a lot of receptions ... people may have a drink , but it 's never come into negotiations . '' The United Nations headquarters is n't exactly a frat house , but the combination of diplomats , staff , press corps and long hours can spark a relaxed atmosphere . There used to be a bar inside a 'delegates lounge , ' but because of building renovations in 2010 , there are now few places to get a drink or eat after 3 p.m . It appears some delegates are bringing liquor into the building . A deputy spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon , Eduardo Del Buey , said : `` I do n't think it 's up to the secretary-general to tell the member states how to behave . It 's up to the individual governments of the member states . '' The most famous drinking story erupted overseas nearly three years ago when a senior U.N. official under Ban went on a drunken spiel aimed at his boss during a dinner . He reportedly said `` I know you never liked me , Mr. Secretary-General ; well , I never liked you either . '' Sha Zukang , undersecretary-general for economic and social affairs , later apologized . Torsella , who issued the drinking warning , has also been on the warpath against excessive business-class travel by U.N. staff who travel overseas . He told his colleagues , `` Let 's save the champagne for toasting the successful end of the session and do some credit to the committee 's reputation in the process . '' Asked about drinking after the meetings , Churkin replied with a smile : `` After is a private matter . We all have our private lives , do n't we ? '' U.N. demands Syrian rebels release peacekeepers . CNN 's Anna-Maja Rappard contributed to this report .
U.S. ambassador for management admonishes budget negotiators for drinking . Late-night meetings spur drinking , especially at Christmas , U.S. diplomats say . Senior U.N. official insulted the secretary-general after a few too many in 2010 .