COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The battle over Ohio’s smoking ban is heating up. Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland announced on Friday that he plans to go to court to allow smoking at veterans’ halls and other private, nonprofit clubs.

Ohio department of health rules at first allowed smoking at the VFW halls as long as the employees there were members of the club. But an association of bar owners from across the state took the department to court and had the exemption tossed out.

Strickland plans to appeal the latest court ruling in an effort to bring back the exemption.

In a written statement, Strickland said, “I believe we established a reasonable rule that enforces the smoking ban while also honoring the exemption established in the law for certain private clubs including veterans’ clubs.”

Strickland asked Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann to file an appeal in the case.

Jim.otte@whiotv.com