VFW Posts Ask for A Reprieve from Smoking Ban

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) A smoking ban went into effect for fraternal clubs like the VFW on January first - but private clubs and taverns have until 2009 to make the switch. The competition has already caused at least one VFW post to shut down, and Vernon Wade says his post on Highland Drive in Salt Lake City will soon follow:

"It is actually costing us to keep our doors open and we won't be able to maintain that for two more years," says Wade, senior vice commander of the VFW in Utah. "People that have been members of our post for 35 years just don't come in there anymore, because we're surrounded by 7 taverns that all have legalized smoking."

The VFW in Utah is pleading with state lawmakers to delay the smoking ban for fraternal clubs. He says it's a matter of fairness, and a committee in the House agreed unanimously. The differing implementation dates for the smoking ban were part of a last-minute compromise on the bill last year.

The ban's original sponsor Senator Michael Waddoups says if anything, he wants private clubs and taverns to move up their compliance and go "smoke free" immediately. That will take considerable support the House is unlikely to muster. Instead, there appears to be widespread support for putting all of the state's private clubs, taverns and fraternal organizations on equal footing in 2009.

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