Assemblyman Michael Doherty

DOHERTY INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO LIFT INDOOR SMOKING BAN FOR FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS

WOULD LIFT BAN FOR VFW AND AMERICAN LEGION POSTSFebruary 9, 2007
Assemblyman Michael Doherty/908-835-0552

Assemblyman Michael Doherty introduced legislation Thursday that would exempt certain social and fraternal organizations such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) from the state's indoor smoking ban when those halls are being operated by members and used by members and their guests.

"The men and women who belong to these organizations have put their lives on the line to defend this country and they should be able to make their own choices with regard to the smoking issue," said Doherty, R-Warren and Hunterdon. "When these halls are being used by members and their guests, there is no reason that they should not be permitted to allow smoking if they so choose."

Doherty's legislation specifically amends the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act to state that smoking is to be permitted in any place or building operated by a social or fraternal organization when used by members of the organization and their guests or families, in which all of the duties with respect to the operation of the facility are performed by members of the organization who do not receive compensation for that work.

He introduced the legislation after members of a local American Legion post expressed their concerns that the legislation was interfering with their rights to smoke in these private fraternal organization halls.

"It is one thing to enact a smoking ban designed to protect members of the public from second-hand smoke in public locations," said Doherty. "It seems to cross a line when we begin telling private organizations who operate their own facilities what they can and can't do within those facilities with regard to the smoking issue."

Doherty said he hopes the bill will be heard in committee soon so that this situation can be addressed.

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