New Jersey?s veterans have fought bravely for our country and now some are fighting to get their private clubs exempt from a state smoking ban.

Posts such as the VFW and American Legion are included in the state smoking ban. Some members of the posts say they?ve earned the right to smoke in what many of them consider their second home. Assemblyman Michael Doherty (R-23rd District) is now sponsoring a bill to exempt social and fraternal organizations from the ban. Doherty feels the state doesn?t have the right to say people can?t smoke in their private clubs.

While many veterans, smokers and non-smokers, are pushing for the bill, others say they have enjoyed the smoke-free air at the posts and wouldn?t want that to change. Veterans? groups had tried to get an exemption from the ban before it became law last year but failed.

For an extended interview about the battle to exempt private clubs from the state smoking ban go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.