Nationwide smoking ban outside all Veterans Affairs medical facilities that applies to visitors, patients and employees starts Tuesday.
CONCORD, N.H. — Serving up drinks at the American Legion post in Concord, Jeff Holland gets a little testy when the talk turns to smoking.
"I get the aspect that it's a hospital and for all practical purposes you shouldn't be smoking inside the VA," Holland said."But as far outside, I think they should still have a smoking area. I mean you got guys from World War I, World War II where this is all they have known for 40 or 50 years. To kind of take that right away, it's kind of a shame."
The smoking ban was first announced this summer. It brings the facilities in line with bans already in place at 4,000 medical facilities and four national health care systems that have made their grounds smoke free. "This is a major cultural change," he continued."It's really been something often utilized for comradery, essentially a sense of community."
Jorg Dreusicke, a 72-year-old former smoker from New Hampshire who recruits members for the Veterans of Foreign Wars nationwide, called the move government overreach. He started smoking at the age of 10 and quit three years ago.
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