Some Ohio veterans are fuming about the statewide smoking ban, though enforcement of the regulation could be months away.The ban puts the survival of Veterans of Foreign Wars posts at stake because it will decrease business at posts that already are hurting monetarily, said Ohio VFW state commander William Seagraves.
Posts that regularly don't allow smoking indoors have lost revenue compared to posts where smoking is permitted, he said, estimating that about 85 percent of members at the state's 424 VFW posts would agree with his concerns.
Seagraves has requested that the Ohio Department of Health exempt VFW posts from the smoking ban and allow the posts to designate areas for smoking.
People who fought for our country and are in a private club should not have to go outside (to smoke)
Seagraves said.
At the Athens' local VFW Post 3477, 355 E. State St., between 90 percent and 95 percent of the 300 or so members smoke, and most of them are long-time smokers, post manager Max French said. He predicted that the ban will cause the post to lose revenue and even some members.
I don't think it's right for them (the health department) to dictate this to veterans French said.
The Athens City-County Health Department is waiting to enforce the smoking ban until ODH finalizes penalties for smoking, said June Ginther, director of preventions programs at that department.
The ban eventually will require VFW posts to remove ashtrays and smoking receptacles indoors and put up appropriate signage, she said.ODH will have a public hearing Feb. 27 to explore the opinions of those affected by the ban, such as VFW members, Ginther said.
At this point our local health department doesn't have the mandate to enforce those rules
she said.
However, the local health department has received complaints about smoke in the local VFW, Ginther said, adding that she knows of no one from the VFW who has asked the department to help the post comply with the new smoking law.
Seagraves said he does not expect local health departments to be lenient toward veterans, so upset veterans must target a policy-change to keep their indoor smoking rights intact.
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Dianne Selden
