Another Ban Failed: AZ Elks at Phoenix Lodge 335

Elks Lodge reinstates smoking

Oct. 9, 2007
Sadie Jo Smokey, The Arizona Republic
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NORTH PHOENIX – Winds of change blew through the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Phoenix Lodge 335 last week, when members voted 78 to 71 to reinstate smoking.

In June, members of the northeast Phoenix lodge narrowly passed a vote to go smoke-free. A member made a motion to reinstate smoking at the lodge. Members voted on the issue during a two-hour meeting that included a 10-minute break for people to stretch their legs, use the restroom – or smoke outside.

Members took turns speaking for or against the motion during the meeting at 32nd Street and Acoma Road.

Exalted Ruler Brad Lucas said he was not surprised by the vote. The paperwork to reinstate smoking now must be reviewed and approved by the Elks national judiciary committee. Members will again light up in the lodge’s bar sometime in 2008.

“This does not stop someone from making a motion to reinstate non-smoking at the next meeting,” Lucas said. “This could go on for a while.”

Fraternal lodges are primarily exempt from the statewide smoking ban, which went into effect May 1. Lodge 335 was believed to be the first fraternal group in the Valley to go smoke-free.

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Smoking ban has some Elks fuming

Sept. 1, 2007
Sadie Jo Smokey

Starting this weekend, smoking members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Phoenix Lodge 335 will step outside the lodge to light their cigarettes.

No-smoking signs will be posted and lodge ashtrays will be put in storage. In June, members of the northeast Phoenix Elks voted to go smoke-free beginning Sept. 1. The vote narrowly passed, but some of the 1,250-plus members intend to overturn the smoking ban with another vote on Oct. 4.

Sitting at the lodge’s bar, Elks member Bob Haines played gin rummy while enjoying a cigarette and a cup of coffee. A member for 17 years, he did not attend the June meeting and he doesn’t like the ban.?

“They’re taking away our privileges,” Haines said between drags on a Marlboro Light. “I’m definitely going to the October meeting.”

Since May 1, when a statewide smoking ban took effect, the lodge near 32nd Street and Acoma Drive has received three warnings from the state. Although veterans and fraternal clubs are primarily exempt from the law, when the club is open to the general public for such activities as Boy Scout meetings and bingo, the lodge has to comply with the law.

“The problem we had early on is the smokers wouldn’t quit smoking on (bingo) night,” said Sam Burkhardt, a 20-year member. “It’s divided the lodge. The absurdity is, less than 10 percent of the lodge is smokers, and they’re holding the rest of us hostage.”

Lodge 335 is believed to be the first fraternal club in the Valley to go smoke-free during private events, Exalted Ruler Brad Lucas said. The controversy brings more members to meetings to voice their concerns.

“There are strong feelings on both sides. It (the October vote) could go either way,” Lucas said. “We’ll just have another go-around.”

Member Tom Callan, who presented a motion 10 years ago to go smoke-free, said the motion lost 26 to 100 then.

Callan said the purpose of the Elks is to serve the community, not to sit at the lodge bar and smoke.

“The state went non-smoking, and we saw people who joined just to smoke,” Callan said. “The Elks is not about the right to smoke; it’s about the benevolence of what we do.”