John Viola (D-Newark), the Delaware House Majority Whip, has introduced legislation in the state house that would remove the exemption to the state’s Indoor Clean Air Act that allows smoking in private clubs and volunteer fire companies. House Bill 404, introduced on June 12, would strike those two exemptions from the Delaware Code. Viola told WDDE that he has been told of veterans who are unable to use local Veterans of Foreign Wars halls and other such facilities because smoking affects their respiratory conditions. He also said there are instances where civilians are club members and take advantages of the cheaper drinks, slot machines and smoking allowances, thereby keeping veterans out of those facilities. Viola said he doesn’t expect the bill to gain much traction, with only one other representative signed on as a co-sponsor so far. Upon its introduction, the bill was referred to the House Health & Human Development Committee.
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