NO one is forcing a non smoker to work in a Vet Club that allows smoking!
The way around that is for clubs to not have “employees”, but instead to have “shareholders”, rewarded for work in shares redeemable for money. The club owner retains 51% of shares.
I believe that this is already covered. Vets pay DUES! Therefore, this should make them a "shareholder."
As I said, it was the legal issue. I agree with you that there should be no limitations of this kind places on private clubs; however, those individuals who want to force private clubs to conform are determined by any means to get what they want, and so are always looking for an angle—which right now is by attacking club employees.
To do this, they would try and find an ex-employee who was fired and disgruntled to sue his ex-employer for “exposing him to secondhand smoke”, demanding huge damages. It is a purely harassment lawsuit.
Also, there is a distinction between club membership and shareholding. The former pay non-refundable dues and receive club services in exchange; shareholders do not have to be veterans, do not pay dues. This is all very important for tax purposes, and has strict rules.