Smoking may be allowed in some clubs

Publication Date: 2007-03-22

• Author:AP
• Publication:The Advocate - Newark, Ohio

Rule change would allow lighting up at establishments that employ only members

The state Health Department reversed course Wednesday by adopting rules for the state’s new indoor smoking ban that would allow people to light up at some veterans’ halls and other private clubs.

The rules must be approved by a legislative panel at its April 16 meeting.

After complaints from veterans’ groups and others, the Health Department said clubs that have only members as employees could allow smoking. Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other groups had testified at a hearing on the rules, claiming the exemption. The department also received about 125 letters supporting the change, spokesman Jay Carey said.