Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9400 in Sunnyslope has become the first Phoenix metro area VFW veteran club to alter its policy to ban all indoor smoking. The new policy is designed to promote the health and wellbeing of current post membership and increase its appeal among younger veterans.
Private clubs such as the VFW are currently exempt from the Arizona state smoking regulations. Post Commander Mark Short said, “The post specifically chose to switch to a smoke-free policy to prevent secondhand smoke exposure, thereby making our facility safer and contributing to a better overall environment. For many of our vets, smoking is a real problem. It prevents them from visiting the post and taking an active role in post affairs. We want Post 9400 to be a place that everyone can enjoy.”
In addition, research has found that a smoke-free facility has greater appeal to younger veterans, especially those with children. “We need to make our post more accommodating for the younger vet because they are the future of our organization,” Short added.
The initial response to the new policy overall has been positive; several members with breathing problems who haven’t attended post events in months or years have now started coming back in.
The Joseph F. Monfort Post 9400 is located at 804 E. Purdue Ave.
