The Smoking Ban
1.A law in the state of Idaho forbids smoking in all state-owned buildings and within 20 feet of their
entrances and exits. This Clean Indoor Air Law is having an unintended effect on a special group of
senior citizens.
2.Dozens of smokers who live at the Idaho State Veterans’ Homes in Boise, Pocatello and Lewiston are
now being forced to smoke outside. Prior to the passing of this new law, these veterans had not been
allowed to smoke in their own rooms. However, each home had provided a specially designed, wellventilated,
smoking room for the residents to use. These smoking rooms were separated from other
rooms in the homes to protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke.
3.In the past, public nursing homes, including veterans’ homes, had been exempt from environmental laws
banning smoking in public places. However, according to Richard Jones, the administrator of Veterans’
Services, the new law appears to have overlooked the situation of senior citizens. Mr. Jones is very
worried about what will happen when winter arrives and the veterans have to leave the building to
smoke.
4.Many of the old soldiers living in the State Veterans’ Homes are very angry about the way they are being
treated in the final years of their lives. They believe they have fought hard for their country and deserve
the right to smoke inside their buildings. They are planning to consult with the Attorney General’s Office
and ask the legislature to give the same exemption as in the past.
5.These old soldiers say they have one last battle to fight.