Posted on 03/18/2006 1:31:15 PM PST by SheLion
BURLINGTON, Vt. --The Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Hyde Park is defying a 6-month-old state law and will allow members to smoke in a private section of the club.
Sign up for: Globe Headlines e-mail | Breaking News Alerts VFW Post 7779 Commander Bruce Martin, a nonsmoker, said he was one of those who voted to allow smoking. The issue was more than cigarettes.
"These people are sick of the state taking away our private rights," he said.
Immediately after club members voted 7-4 Tuesday night to bring back smoking a number of members lit up.
VFW auxiliary member Robin Ferris filed a complaint Wednesday with the Vermont Health Department.
Ferris who used to work in the VFW said that when she worked there she suffered frequent respiratory ailments and her clothes smelled of smoke.
"I don't want to be affiliated with the kind of organization that breaks state law," Ferris said.
Health Department Spokesman Robert Stirewalt said he was unaware of the complaint.
He said when a complaint is filed a staff member is sent to investigate.
Stirewalt said there have been a handful of complaints since the law took effect in September and all have been settled voluntarily.
Martin said members would decide what to do if the Health Department investigated Ferris's complaint.
"I imagine we'll fight it," he said.
Organizations that refuse to comply can be fined up to $10,000 or each offense.
"Obviously, we're hoping that's not the case" with the VFW, Stirewalt said.
VT: Elks Vote No On Smoking Ban.
Elks Vote No On Smoking Ban Burlington, Vermont -- June 18, 2004 Several states and cities have enacted smoking bans in bars and restaurants, but in Burlington the prohibition does not apply to private clubs. One of those clubs, the Elks, considered a voluntary smoking ban Thursday night. Elks Exalted Ruler Moe Decelles told Channel 3 News that the members defeated the voluntary smoking ban on a vote of 125-45, an almost three-to-one margin. Decelles says smoking is allowed at the Elks bar and lounge, but an existing no smoking policy will continue in a separate room used for functions.
"It is well-established that exposure to secondhand smoke is a serious health threat," said Paul Kuehnert of the Center for Disease Control. "Over the past two decades, medical science has proven that nonsmokers who breathe secondhand smoke suffer many of the diseases of active smoking, including heart disease, lung cancer and asthma."
Even if this were true, I doubt our veterans think second hand smoke is as serious to their health than what they have been subjected to. Liberals suck.
That's what I thought, but didn't want to jump to conclusions. :)
And yes, there sure are a lot worse in this life then smoking.
Most of the Vets from previous wars all smoke. It's like nursing homes........telling the old folks they can't smoke inside is just outrageous. Same with a forced smoking ban on the VFW's, etc.
FDR was a dictator,but he was OUR dictator!?!
"These people are sick of the state taking away our private rights," he said.
But don't they understand that they're to dumb to know what's good for them? Fortunately there are people who are much better, and smarter ready & (more than) willing to force them to live healthy lives.
Then, when private clubs and out-of-town establishments were doing as well or better than before due to the flight from banned areas, the WORKER'S COMPENSATION BOARD (unelected etc) imposed a new rule that smoking was an unacceptable risk factor for employees, and banned smoking indoors at ALL places of business. Even cigar stores.
Somehow, I have trouble equating the "risk" from ETS with the risk of re-roofing The Empress without fall arresting gear.
Then again, I'm not a bureaucrat.
The Senecasmokes.com website still says they can't get cigarettes so won't take any orders.
I'll have to watch and see if it changes after this decision.
What's a VFW without drinking?
Of course she could take the obvious way out, if she hates the guys smoking so much she could get another job. But for a liberal, no cost is too much for others to make to please their personal feelings. Liberals are quite self important and delusional.
It's a Nazi thing.
It will be interesting. I hope they can continue on. It's hard to reopen the shop after the door is locked. Hope it isn't too late.
She has a bigger worry -- she needs someone to cut those chains holding her down as an "auxilliary" at the VFW.
Yes! What's holding her there? Just her big desire to cause misery to the members??!!
Hurrah for the VFW! Down with Nanny! Live Free or Die!
Now that's a funny cartoon.
Can Ferris' "auxiliary member" status be revoked?
Excellent. Publicize this, Rush and Sean! Let's give these guys all the support we can.
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