Like many organizations of its kind, VFW Post 1090 in Warren is a members-only establishment. As a privately-run business, officers thought they could get around Ohio's strict anti-smoking law. But Canteen Manager Jim Yost admitted its own people are turning them in.
After receiving its fourth citation last summer, the post was nailed with a $1,000 fine. It's forced smokers outside onto the porch. It's also meant some dissension and post Quartermaster Rolla Airwyke said it's upset some members.
But removing the ashtrays from the bar area has also affected the post's bottom line. By holding weekly bingo games, the post had been able to donate a portion of its proceeds to local agencies, including $40,000 last year alone. Airwyke said about 80 to 85 percent of the donations stay local. But without patron,s the donations dry up.
"I don't think that people look at it in that respect," Yost said.
Members said they don't blame local inspectors for doing their jobs but would like to see Columbus lawmakers come up with less stringent regulations.
In the meantime, they said they are appealing the post's latest citation.
