By Brenda Showalter, The Republic Reporter
Local private clubs that are exempt from the city’s new smoking ban continued their normal activities Wednesday.
Lunch and dinner crowds included smokers who can no longer smoke at other city eateries.
“It’s been about normal for lunch,” said Anita Hancock at the Elks Club on Middle Road.
About 10 patrons sat in the club bar at lunch, some enjoying a plate lunch of spaghetti with a cigarette. The club also has a separate restaurant open to the public at lunch.
Ed Littrell, manager at the Eagles Lodge on Washington Street, said he was not sure how the smoking ban might affect business.
“It might take some time to see,” said Littrell, noting that the club has a separate area for those not wanting to eat in the bar where smoking is allowed.
Some critics of the city’s ordinance have complained that it is not fair that bars and private clubs are exempt.
Critics also disagree with the ban that exempts private clubs that allow smoking and drinking of alcohol with children present.
Debbie Kramer, owner of Kramer’s Kitchen, said the double standard is not right if city officials truly are concerned about the health of city residents.
Larry Misner, owner of Home Folks Family Restaurant, said establishments that serve alcohol are contributing to health problems as much or more as those that allow smoking.
“It just doesn’t make sense to me that we would be exempt if I sold alcohol,” Misner said.
The new ordinance states that a private club includes a facility owned or operated by an association or corporation.
It must be non-profit and have membership that consists of those who have served in the armed forces or have those with a joint or common purpose.
Entry into the club also must be restricted to members or guests.
Misner has said that he considers Home Folks a private club since he offers a dining club.
A Home Folks waitress said the restaurant had about 60 new club members sign up this week.
On Wednesday, Misner said the club definition had not been “court-tested.”
Lena Smith, bar manager of the American Legion on 25th Street, said she agrees with the ordinance allowing her establishment to allow smokers.
“We’re a veterans club. These are people who fought for our freedom, and a lot of them had cigarettes issued to them from the government when they were at war,” Smith said.
The Legion has a regular group which patronizes the club at lunch and dinner, but the city smoking ban might bring in other members, Smith said.
On Wednesday, she saw no change in her lunch crowd.
Management at the Moose Lodge could not be reached for comment.