Towns allowed to ban smoking in private clubs

Extending the government"s reach over where smokers can light up, the Supreme Judicial Court said yesterday that local health departments can ban smoking in private clubs and meeting halls, leaving only private homes and a few other indoor places free from antitobacco regulations in Massachusetts.

Dozens of cities and towns have already banned smoking in such clubs, which include veterans" posts and ethnic heritage clubs. The high court"s decision keeps these bans in place.

And although some of the clubs covered by the ruling, such as Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts, hark back to an era of smoke-filled rooms, many have already voluntarily gone smoke-free, officials said yesterday.

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