State law mandates clubs to vote on smoking ban.

Publication Date: 2005-08-20

• Author:SUSAN M. COVER
• Publication:Kennebec Journal

A new law designed to protect workers from secondhand smoke requires private club members -- Elks, veterans' and others -- to vote on a smoking policy by mid-September, or risk losing the right to smoke in their lodges and halls.

Even if they vote, and even if there's a majority that wants to continue smoking -- the objection of just one club employee could snuff out smoking for good.

The law, which will take effect Sept. 17, requires approximately 200 fraternal and veterans organizations across the state to poll all their members on whether they want smoking in their facilities.

At least 51 percent of the members must fill out secret ballots in order for the vote to be valid, the state law says.