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IN OHIO, THE SMOKING LAMP IS LIT -- VFW and other non-profit

clubs get exemption from statewide smoking ban.

 

 

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Story below:

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The smoking lamp is lit

Opinion

The Ohio Veterans of Foreign Wars won the right to light up in their posts recently, but that doesn't mean that they should start blowing smoke.

Bill Seagraves, the VFW's state commander, seems to agree.

He said he would urge the VFW's 428 posts to establish smoking and nonsmoking spaces inside.

The Ohio Department of Health made an understandable call when it decided to exempt nonprofit private clubs from the ban, as long as everyone present is a member, including employees.

Anti-smoking advocates aren't pleased, and we can understand their disapproval.

Ohioans voted overwhelmingly in November to outlaw smoking in public spaces.

But the VFW is not a public place when it serves as a meeting hall for members only.

And when it does have a public event or has youngsters 18 or under present, the new rules say cigarettes and cigars must go out, said health officials.

Nonprofit organizations that allow smoking are held to other reasonable standards.

The building must be free-standing and solely occupied by the organization.

And if it serves liquor, it must have a special liquor license for nonprofits.

By making membership supersede work status, the Ohio Department of Health is recognizing that membership has privileges - and one of them is the right to work in a smoke-filled room.

But local VFW posts should heed their national organization's push to ban smoking, for the health benefit of smoking and non-smoking veterans.

Veterans might have become hooked on cigarettes while on the battlefield, as Seagraves points out.

But ending an addiction is a good thing, and it would be better if the local VFW post were a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.

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Larry Scott  --