The Ministry of Health has stepped into a row over smoking in the South Wairarapa Workingmen's Club, saying it must be banned.
Greytown club secretary Dave Linton said a letter from the ministry ordered a halt to smoking in the club's TAB outlet, located in the main bar area. It is the only TAB in Greytown.
Mr Linton said the letter had been sent to the Chartered Clubs' Association for a legal opinion.
It was likely the club would be forced to ban non-members, so it could no longer be considered a public amenity where smoking was forbidden.
The dispute began when Wairarapa smokefree officer Dawne Weatherall called for a smoking ban at the club because she believed it to be a public facility.
Existing club policy excludes smoking in its restaurant and behind the bar. Mrs Weatherall wanted a total ban.
A ministry spokeswoman said it was awaiting a response from the club.
- NZPA
TAB status leads to ban-smoking order
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