The Garden City Telegram
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Building ranks
Published 6/30/2009 in Commentary : Editorial
It's become an expected pitch from Garden City Commissioner John Doll.
The commissioner has consistently challenged the city's ban on smoking in public places as an unfair intrusion of local government into private business, and again has proposed that the City Commission change the ordinance.
Specifically, Doll wants to soften restrictions to allow such private clubs as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars to allow smoking.
As in other communities that have addressed public smoking bans, there was resistance from those who thought private veterans' clubs should be exempt. But the City Commission rightly went ahead with an ordinance that treats places catering to the public equally.
Indeed, the local ordinance was crafted to protect all patrons and workers from dangerous secondhand smoke.
Government-mandated codes and regulations intended to keep people safe aren't implemented on a pick-and-choose basis. A public smoking ban shouldn't be, either.
The City Commission should dismiss this latest attempt to change an ordinance that, in treating all public places the same, has made Garden City healthier and more inviting.
But part of the fear locally was that the smoking ban would cost the veterans' clubs more members at a time they already were dwindling in numbers.
VFW and American Legion ranks nationwide have declined sharply, due in part to the graying of their members.
That's led veterans' clubs elsewhere to favor moves to snuff out smoking as a way to become more appealing. They know many potential members — veterans of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, in particular — don't want to spend time in smoke-filled rooms.
And those who do smoke still can step outside. Many clubs and businesses have patio areas that are working in accommodating smokers.
No one wants local veterans' clubs to close their doors. More than just places to socialize, the clubs also make nice contributions to communities through sponsorships, fundraisers and other efforts.
But they're not alone in considering ways to stay viable.
As part of that, they should consider whether the fight to change the local ordinance is a way to boost their ranks at a time others have realized smoking only keeps people away.
What do you think about the proposed smoking ordinance amendment to allow smoking in Class A clubs? Talk about it at SWKTalk.com. Or vote in the poll on the home page.
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