More than a year and a half after the state ban took effect, officials of the Yakima chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles have agreed to ban smoking at the club. They had been threatened with tens of thousands of dollars in fines and the suspension of their charter.
Eagles club agrees to ban smoking
The club fought the state, city for 18 months … but the law won
8/20/07
YAKIMA — Washington’s ban on indoor smoking ruffled the feathers of the local Eagles club, but now its wings have been clipped.
More than a year and a half after the state ban took effect, officials of the Yakima chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles have agreed to ban smoking at the club. They had been threatened with tens of thousands of dollars in fines and the suspension of their charter.
But last week, trustees signed a consent decree, promising to prohibit smoking in their building.
The state’s smoking ban took effect in December 2005. But the Yakima Eagles flew on with their ashtrays and smoke-filled club. Some club members complained, but said they had smoke blown in their faces.
In July, the city filed a court complaint, stating that every day the Eagles ignored the ban, they would face fines of up to $100.
That got the attention of the Washington State Eagles Aerie, which notified the Eagles national headquarters in Ohio.
The result: Two trustees of the Yakima club were removed from office, and the remaining members signed the non-smoking pledge.
Eagles’ smoking ban defiance finally snuffed
Yakima Herald-Republic – Yakima,WA,USA
By ROD ANTONE It took the threat of tens of thousands of dollars in fines, the suspension of its charter and secret complaints from its own members, …
Yakima Herald-Republic – Yakima,WA,USA
By ROD ANTONE It took the threat of tens of thousands of dollars in fines, the suspension of its charter and secret complaints from its own members, …
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