Randy Oviatt, a member of the Lyndora American Legion, smokes a cigarette on Monday. The building will be smoke free as of Friday.

BUTLER TWP — While private clubs were exempted from the Clean Air Act of 2008 that banned smoking in bars, the American Legion Post 778 will follow suit on Friday.

The Legion, which is located off Kohler Avenue in Lyndora, has always permitted smoking in the bar and restaurant section of the large building. A small non-smoking room adjacent to the bar was infrequently used, and the large hall facility has always been non-smoking, said post Commander Robert Ferensic.

He explained that at a monthly members meeting in October, someone made a motion to make the bar and restaurant non-smoking.

When the motion was seconded, that forced the officers to take the matter into consideration.

Ferensic said post cards were sent to more than 400 regular members, meaning members who are veterans and not the auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion members who belong to the post.

Bar manager Kay English said 280 people voted to go non-smoking, with just 79 voting to continue to allow a smoking section.

“It was pretty much a landslide,” English said.

She said about half of the patrons who come to the bar during the day smoke while enjoying a beer or cocktail, compared to a largely non-smoking clientele in the evening.

On Friday, when the no-smoking rule kicks in, smokers can use the new addition being added beside the restaurant in the rear of the building, English said.

She said that heaters, a table and ashtrays will be supplied in the unfinished room.

Upon being completed, the room will be an area with seating, televisions and garage doors that will allow patrons to enjoy partial open-air while eating and drinking at the Legion during temperate months.

Ferensic said he does not think the addition will be used as a permanent smoking area once it is finished.

He hopes to add a large shed or party tent outside of a door on the south side of the bar where patrons can smoke, but that depends on township zoning requirements.

Ferensic said the board of directors is trying to accommodate smokers.

“Everyone enjoys what they enjoy, so why cut if off?” said Ferensic, who quit smoking in the 1980s.

Regarding vaping, Ferensic said Legion officials are checking into state law to see if e-cigarettes will continue to be allowed in the bar and restaurant.

Randy Oviatt of Butler Township, who is a smoker and Legion member, said he understands that the majority has spoken on smoking.

“The vote went against smokers,” he said as he enjoyed a bottle of beer at the Lyndora Legion on Monday. “It is what it is.”

He said the new ban will not push him out of the Legion.

“I'll still come here,” Oviatt said. “There's never any trouble like some other places, the people are sociable, the drinks are cheap and the food is good.”

Ferensic said the non-smoking rule will ensure the Legion's compliance with the Clean Indoor Air Act, which prohibits smoking at private clubs when the public is invited to attend an event.