Which of the following is NOT a protected class under federal law?

Under federal law, protected classes are specific categories of individuals that are shielded from discrimination in various areas, including housing and employment. These classes are defined by legislation such as the Fair Housing Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Race, color, and sex are all explicitly listed as protected classes. Discrimination based on race refers to treating someone unfavorably because of their race or characteristics associated with race. Similarly, color refers to discrimination based on a person's skin color or complexion, while sex encompasses discrimination based on a person's gender.

On the other hand, smoking status is not recognized as a protected class under federal law. While some states or local jurisdictions may have specific laws concerning smoking and could classify it in their own anti-discrimination statutes, federally, there is no legal protection against discrimination for individuals based on their smoking status. Therefore, the option regarding smoking status is the correct answer, as it does not fall under the federally protected classes.