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Board of Health rejects smoking ban

By Erin O'Connor

Staff Writer



WEST SPRINGFIELD Board of Health members swiftly voted to leave smoking bans up to private club owners in a two to zero vote on Jan. 24. A loud applause was heard from over a dozen club representatives upon the Board's decision.

"I have lived in West Springfield and no one would debate the ill effects of that issue, but it is about drawing the line between public and private," Dr. David R. Kelley of the Board said. "A major issue is at what point does the line cross? I think that club owners should make their own decisions. They are adults and it [smoking] is not illegal."

"I would concur," Dr. Gerald W. Stadnicki of the Board said. "Self-policing is a good one," he added.

Gina M. Ianacome, the third member of the Board, was not present at the meeting.

"I am upset," Eileen Stopa, a 20 year resident of the city said to Reminder Publications. "I thought it was going to be a public meeting but it was only supported by club members. What can I do? I have to wait for the government to step in because the town isn't going to do it."

"Originally with the ban on smoking I was 100 percent for it," Stadnicki said. "But we as a town can't do it when the federal and state government won't do it."

"On one hand it would be easy to say 'yes' to a ban but enforcement is going to be an issue," Jeanne Galloway, director of public health, said.

"With the health effects on the community we are concerned," Kathleen E. Phelps of the Health Department said.

Stadnicki and Kelley said that many private club members compared the clubs to being like that of their own homes.

"We draw the line as to what people do in their own homes," Kelley said.

Stadnicki and Kelley said a list of guidelines for the clubs would be something they wished to follow up with and would include: no smoking during membership meetings and no smoking if someone under the age 18 is present.

"This is a request and private organizations have the authority to do what they want in their facility," Stadnicki said. "God bless you, take care of yourself and your members," he added.

Club owners thanked the Board for their decision and some voiced interest in suggested guidelines.

"Certainly we will work with your attorney to draw up these guidelines and we will work with them," Paul Cummings, the manager of the bar at the Knights of Columbus, said.

Stadnicki recommended having the air in the room flow outward, having fans go from outside into the room and if there is a room with no smoking to keep it that way.

"Thank you for keeping an open mind," Angelo C. Librera, commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6714, said. "For the Iraq and Vietnam veterans it is about freedom of choice and I don't want to tell them that they can't smoke."

A smoking ban in private clubs was first discussed in 2004 and has been on the minds of health officials since discussion last October.

According to Galloway, at the last meeting the Board asked the Health Department to look into smoke heaters and ventilators to see if these would reduce risks attributed to second hand smoke exposure.

"We did visit all the clubs in town and all research showed any type of equipment is inadequate," Galloway said.

After reporting their findings the Health Department declared to the Board that they proposed, "an outright ban."

According to a letter that Galloway read during the meeting, second hand smoke can bring on symptoms of asthma. The letter went on to say that people participating in social events and working should not be subjected to second hand smoke and asked the Health Department to use their authorization as health leaders to protect the citizens.

A letter read into the meeting by Galloway and written by the Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition reported that by placing a smoking ban it would lead to less lost days of work and school.

"One of the unique features of West Springfield is the number of private clubs they have," Kelly said. West Springfield has eight private clubs.

"I talked with people and a majority were for letting the private clubs alone," he said.

"You have to take into account the welfare of the citizens," Stadnicki said. "You may disagree with personal choice but because you disagree it does not mean it should be a regulation. You can't brand a smoker and you certainly can't do it in an organization which you paid for as a group. It would be saying we set a standard for everyone."