buildingcincinnati

From the 1/18/07 Athens News: Council votes down agreement for Richland Avenue apartment project By Jonathan Hunt Athens NEWS Writer Thursday, January 18th, 2007 Athens City Council voted unanimously Tuesday against authorizing a development agreement between the city and the Columbus firm seeking to build the Summit at Coates Run student housing complex on the city's near south side. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle&section=news&story_id=27074

From the 12/21/06 Athens News: Plans for southside apt. complex evolve By Jonathan Hunt Athens NEWS Writer Thursday, December 21st, 2006 Evolving plans for a student-housing complex on the south side of Athens near The Ridges could lead to a smaller footprint for the housing construction itself, but a larger, more complicated project overall. City officials acknowledge that the latest plans for the Summit at Coates Run look better than previous versions of the project, formerly known as Campus Edge. Only one home on Greenbrier Drive, it now appears, would be demolished, for example, and heavy equipment would mostly stay off city streets. http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle&section=news&story_id=26904

From the 12/21/06 PD: Aquafarm throws out a line in an aging city Yellow perch, goldfish raised in old industrial building Thursday, December 21, 2006 John Horton Plain Dealer Reporter The brick fortress towers over the west bank of the Cuyahoga River, a hulking reminder of the corridor's gritty industrial heritage. Appliances once filled the bustling Scranton Road warehouse. Conveyer belts and elevators whirred. Today, little moves inside the old building. Quiet fills most of the space. Quiet and Mike Harubin's farm. ... http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/116669401942180.xml&coll=2

From ThisWeek Licking County, 1/21/07: Etna Business & Retail Center Office-retail complex coming to Rt. 310 Sunday, January 21, 2007 By LORI WINCE ThisWeek Staff Writer Construction of an office and retail complex at state Route 310 and Cameron Drive in Etna Township is being pursued by the Anchor Cos. Joel Sigler of Joel Sigler Designs said the Etna Business and Retail Center would be a mixed-use development with five buildings: two 7,600-square-foot office buildings, a 9,042-square-foot retail building, an 8,548-square-foot retail building and a separate 2,775-square-foot restaurant. Jason Gunsorek, owner of the Anchor Cos., said tenants are being sought and construction could begin on one retail building and one office, as there is a demand. He said the office buildings will be sold as office condominiums. Gunsorek suggested the offices could house medical users, saying a dentist is interested in one of the buildings. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/012107/LickingCounty/News/012107-News-294047.html

College Hill manages to be both beautiful and hideous at the same time.

From the 2/5/07 Marion Star: VFW: Smoke 'em if ya got 'em For now, but only in the club room By JOHN JARVIS The Marion Star MARION - Smoke still rises inside the club room of a local veterans watering hole while the Ohio Department of Health moves toward adoption of rules to enforce the new statewide smoking ban. Enforcement of the ban, passed by voters in November 2006, will take effect with the rules adoption, which won't happen until April. Read more: http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070205/NEWS01/702050316/1002/rss01

From the 2/4/07 Blade: GRAPHIC: How Ohio stacks up GRAPHIC: History of Ohio's cigarette tax State government faces smoking ban side-effect Restrictions on lighting up in public could take a bite out of revenues from a cigarette tax that yielded $1 billion last year By JIM PROVANCE BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU COLUMBUS — Ohio’s budget is dependent to the tune of $1 billion a year on smokers lighting up at a time when voters have just dramatically reduced the number of places where they can light up. The cigarette tax may be the only Ohio tax for which a declining tax base is considered a success story. “We’re of two minds when it comes to cigarettes, aren’t we?” said Gov. Ted Strickland. “We don’t want people to smoke, yet we need the revenue coming from the tax. That’s just one of the multiple contradictions that we find in our society and probably within our budget.” Read more: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070204/NEWS08/702040325/-1/RSS

From the 2/2/07 Blade: TOLEDO-LUCAS COUNTY Official wants state to shut repeat smoke-ban violators By JENNI LAIDMAN BLADE STAFF WRITER Taverns and restaurants that repeatedly violate Ohio's smoking ban should be forced to close, according to the Toledo-Lucas County health commissioner. Dr. David Grossman this week wrote to the Ohio Department of Health, saying "repeat violators" ought to face the possibility of losing their liquor licenses, and if the business is not a bar, should face the threat of closing. Read more: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070202/NEWS16/702020347/-1/RSS10 From the 2/2/07 Oxford Press: Oxford restaurants, businesses telling smokers to 'butt out' Rules addressing the new law must be finalized by June 7 before fines and citations can be written. By Christen Claytor Contributing Writer Friday, February 02, 2007 While enforcement of the new smoking ban is tangled in red tape, many Oxford businesses are asking patrons not to light up anyway. Uptown businesses like 45 East and Brick Street find the enforcement of the new law to be a simple task. Read more: http://www.oxfordpress.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/01/op020207smokingban.html

From the 1/31/07 Newark Advocate: County employees wonder, wander for smokes Now off limits: smoking hut behind administration building By KENT MALLETT Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- Smokers who work in the Licking County Administration Building wander around outside like lost puppies looking for a home. The new state law prevents them from smoking in the smoking hut adjacent to the building's rear entrance. They can smoke on the property, but not if the smoke can blow into the building through an open door or window. So, without a clear definition of where they can smoke, employees must make their best guess. The smoking hut is too close to the entrance to ensure smoke will not enter the building, ergo "No Smoking" signs have been attached to the hut. Read more: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070131/NEWS01/701310303/1002/rss01 From the 1/30/07 Greenville Daily Advocate: Some look forward to ban Bob Robinson Managing Editor COLUMBUS - The Ohio Department of Health has received more than 32,000 inquiries since the smoking ban, passed by Ohio voters in November, went into effect on Dec. 7. In a recent press release, ODH also stated it had received 10,000 complaints of potential violations. Read more: http://www.dailyadvocate.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=123017&TM=600.519

From the 1/28/07 Times-Reporter: Smoking proving to be a tough habit to break Lacking enforcement of new law, some bars still allow patrons to light up By KYLE KONDIK, T-R Staff Writer If indoor smoking has been banned in Ohio, why are people still lighting up in bars all over the county? In approving State Issue 5, or “Smoke Free Ohio,” in November, Ohio voters agreed to end indoor smoking in nearly all enclosed public places. Read more: http://www.timesreporter.com/index.php?ID=63565&r=1&Category=1

From the 1/26/07 Lorain Morning Journal: Smoking ban chokes bingo revenue KATE GIAMMARISE, Morning Journal Writer 01/26/2007 LORAIN -- Leaders of the Lorain Senior Center said their bingo game fundraisers have been hit hard by the recent statewide smoking ban, and their building will have to close by this summer if it does not receive additional funds. ''We need it to stay open for the people,'' said Emery Kolbe, president of the Lorain Community Seniors, which runs the center. He estimated that each week several hundred people use the center, at 3361 Garfield Blvd., for its programs and services. ''I come for the lunches as much as I can,'' said Jean Devore, 75, who was enjoying a potluck lunch at the center yesterday. She said she also likes coming to the center for the camaraderie and socializing with other seniors. Read more: http://www.morningjournal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17768008&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46371&rfi=6 From the 1/26/07 Coshocton Tribune: Smoking ban enforcement process underway By HOLLY RICHARDS Staff Writer Even though he used to smoke, Coshocton resident Jim Bryant said as a nonsmoker, he is glad the smoking ban was passed by a majority of Ohio voters. "Whatever they have to do to stop smoking in public places, do it," he said. "People should go outside. If I smoked, that's what I would do; I would obey the law." Read more: http://www.coshoctontribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070126/NEWS01/701260303/1002/rss01 From the 1/26/07 Daily Kent Stater: New ashtrays give students place for butts Douglas Miller Issue date: 1/26/07 Section: News The Ohio Smoking Ban passed this November has forced Kent State to make some adjustments on campus. Michael McDonald, director of University Environment and Operations, said they have been working on a new, uniform ashtray for the campus. He said that, after the ban passed, his staff removed the old ones because it was a good time to make a change. The new ashtrays will each be made of a 2-foot piece of corrugated pipe, McDonald said. Since they have to be located 20 feet from buildings, McDonald wanted them to be colorful so students would notice them. They are blue with a gold ring around the top. Read more: www.stateronline.com/media/storage/paper867/news/2007/01/26/News/New-Ashtrays.Give.Students.Place.For.Butts-2679585.shtml?sourcedomain=www.stateronline.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com]http://media.www.stateronline.com/media/storage/paper867/news/2007/01/26/News/New-Ashtrays.Give.Students.Place.For.Butts-2679585.shtml?sourcedomain=www.stateronline.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com

From the 1/23/07 Dispatch: Smoking ban applies to VFW, too Tuesday, January 23, 2007 James Nash THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A veterans group lost its bid yesterday to exclude veterans halls from the new statewide smoking ban, and state health officials said they will begin imposing fines on violators in April. With a few tweaks, a panel of business owners, health officials and others finished its work reviewing more than 14 pages of rules that put teeth into the indoor smoking ban approved by Ohio voters in November. The Ohio Department of Health decided not to define a boundary around a business in which smoking is prohibited; the rules now say merely that smoke must be kept out of the building. Businesses also can store ashtrays as long as customers can’t get to them. Health officials also made it clear that it is OK for people to smoke in their private vehicles. Read more: http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/23/20070123-D1-03.html

From the 1/22/07 Dispatch: Some places ban smoking outdoors Businesses, school districts expanding restrictions to borders of their property Monday, January 22, 2007 Holly Zachariah THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH MARYSVILLE, Ohio — The statewide smoking ban doesn’t say you can’t smoke outside. It just says the smoke can’t be allowed to drift into any public building. Yet more and more, even the great outdoors is off-limits to those who light up. Read more: http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/22/20070122-B3-00.html From the 1/22/07 Portsmouth Daily Times: Smokers seek shelter By FRANK LEWIS PDT Staff Writer Sunday, January 21, 2007 9:26 PM EST If you are not one of them, you certainly have seen them - huddling from the cold, trying to dodge the raindrops and the snowflakes. They are the smokers who work in area offices and stores. Winter takes its toll on them as they attempt to grab a puff before returning to work. Read more: http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/articles/2007/01/22/news/local_news/1news_shelter.txt From the 1/22/07 Record-Courier: Kent smokers leave mark January 22, 2007 By Matt Fredmonsky Record-Courier staff writer Cigarette butts -- they line the small spaces between the sidewalk and the brick wall of businesses like Club Khameleon, Mug's Brew Pub and the Water Street Tavern. The butts have multiplied in number since Ohio's Smoke Free law took effect in December. But is the anti-smoking law directly contributing to excess litter outside of some of Kent's busier establishments? Charlie Thomas, the owner of Ray's Place on Kent's bar strip, said he has seen an increase in abandoned filter tips since he began telling smokers they had to go outside to smoke. Read more: http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/1506381

From the 1/21/07 Sandusky Register: Veterans fume over smoking ban By MOLLY LINN | Sunday January 21 2007, 9:04am It wasn't supposed to apply to their clubs and state homes, they say When veterans voted in favor of a smoking ban in November, the state health department said the law didn't apply to their private clubs. Read more: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/01/21/front/142562.txt

From the 1/19/07 Daily Kent Stater: Kent bars adjust, wait for smoking ban enforcement Some adhere to ban, others keep smoking Jackie Valley Issue date: 1/19/07 Section: News For some bars in Kent, ashtrays still exist, but in others, they were swept away with the smoke following the passage of Issue 5 on the November ballot. SmokeFree Ohio, which went into effect on Dec. 7, banned smoking in public places and places of employment, including bars and restaurants. Kent Health Commissioner John Ferlito said lawmakers have until June 7 to pass legislation to enforce the ban. According to Ferlito, the Ohio Department of Health has already posted a draft of the rules and regulations to enforce the smoking ban on its Web site, and lawmakers hope to have the regulations adopted in February. Read more: www.stateronline.com/media/storage/paper867/news/2007/01/19/News/Kent-Bars.Adjust.Wait.For.Smoking.Ban.Enforcement-2654578.shtml?sourcedomain=www.stateronline.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com]http://media.www.stateronline.com/media/storage/paper867/news/2007/01/19/News/Kent-Bars.Adjust.Wait.For.Smoking.Ban.Enforcement-2654578.shtml?sourcedomain=www.stateronline.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com From same: Rathskeller smoked out Christina Stavale Issue date: 1/19/07 Section: News On a Wednesday evening a mere 15 people filled the Rathskeller. No special events were going on to attract a big crowd, but this was a huge difference since before Dec. 7, said Matt Ameer, a bartender at the Rathskeller. Last month, the SmokeFreeOhio smoking ban went into effect, prohibiting smoking in public places. The question remains whether or not the ban will hurt business in restaurants, bars and other popular hangouts throughout Kent. "It's hard to tell if sales are down, but less people come here to just talk and hangout," said Ameer, who is a senior English and psychology major. He said on normal nights before the ban went into effect, a large number of students came to the Rathskeller to smoke while they studied, chatted or just hung out. Read more: www.stateronline.com/media/storage/paper867/news/2007/01/19/News/Rathskeller.Smoked.Out-2654505.shtml?sourcedomain=www.stateronline.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com]http://media.www.stateronline.com/media/storage/paper867/news/2007/01/19/News/Rathskeller.Smoked.Out-2654505.shtml?sourcedomain=www.stateronline.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com From the 1/19/07 Coshocton Tribune: Local clubs upset about smoking ban By JASON WEST Tribune Correspondent COSHOCTON - Deceived, confused and misled. Many voters in Coshocton County were feeling all of these in November 2006 when the Ohio Smoking Ban was passed by voters. A number of the voters are veterans who were led into believing that if they voted for the ban that the private clubs would be exempt from the new law. However, those clubs, including Veteran of Foreign Wars clubs around the state, are being effected. Read more: http://www.coshoctontribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070119/NEWS01/701190303/1002/rss01

From BG News, 1/18/07: Smoking ban has positive and negative effects By: Christie Kerner Issue date: 1/18/07 Section: Campus "Smoking or Non?" This ever popular question will be a thing of the past. With so many choices on their menus, restaurants and bars will no longer offer this one. Or at least, they are not supposed to. The Wood County Department of Health has high expectations for the ban, said Brad Espen, health commissioner and director of environmental services at the department. Read more: www.bgnews.com/media/storage/paper883/news/2007/01/18/Campus/Smoking.Ban.Has.Positive.And.Negative.Effects-2652865.shtml?sourcedomain=www.bgnews.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com]http://media.www.bgnews.com/media/storage/paper883/news/2007/01/18/Campus/Smoking.Ban.Has.Positive.And.Negative.Effects-2652865.shtml?sourcedomain=www.bgnews.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com From the 1/18/07 Newark Advocate: Local veterans upset about smoking ban Some think rights being violated By LIZA MARTIN Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- For years, Paul Truck has ambled into the American Legion, ordered a drink and lit up a cigar. It's his right as an American, he says. "I think everybody has the right to do what they want to do," the 89-year-old Air Force veteran said. "It's a free country -- or at least I thought it was." Truck's right to smoke, however, ends at the doors of the Legion, 85 S. Sixth St., now that Ohio's smoking ban applies to members-only clubs, such as the American Legion, the Moose Lodge and Veterans of Foreign Wars halls. Read more: Liza Martin can be reached at (740) 328-8544 or [email protected]. http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070118/NEWS01/701180321/1002/rss01 From the 1/18/07 Bedford Times-Register: A new set of rules in place for smokers Some local grounds are smoke-free, while county helps people kick the habit January 18, 2007 by Emily Canning-Dean and Tim Troglen Reporters Area smokers are losing more and more space where they are permitted to light up. Although most municipal and hospital buildings have been smoke-free for years, smokers were free to puff away outside. But recently cities and hospitals have either restricted or completely banned smoking on their property. It's enough to make some smokers want to give up completely. And some of them have. When UHHS Bedford Medical Center, 44 Blaine Ave., banned smoking on hospital grounds Nov. 17, 2005, marketing manager Mary Hamilton decided to kick the habit. Read more: http://www.bedfordtimesregister.com/news/article/1494971

Both from the 1/17/07 DDN: Veterans upset over inclusion of VFW halls in smoking ban By Matt Leingang Associated Press Wednesday, January 17, 2007 COLUMBUS — Military veterans who voted for Ohio's smoking ban feel betrayed now that the state Health Department says the law applies to private clubs that have employees, including VFW halls, a veterans group said Tuesday. Members-only VFW halls, which veterans believed fell under an exemption clause that appeared on the November ballot, shouldn't have to comply, said William Seagraves, state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Ohio. He urged the state to change its draft rules for enforcing the ban. Seagraves spoke out at a third meeting of bar owners, public health advocates and other business groups who are seeking to clarify how the law will be carried out. The smoking ban, which aims to protect nonsmokers and employees from secondhand smoke, took effect Dec. 7, but the state won't issue penalties until dozens of rules are finalized. Read more: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/17/ddn011707ohsmokerules.html Smoking ban not popular in Ohio prisons Officials have resisted going smoke-free; lawyer says enforcement is haphazard By Laura A. Bischoff Staff Writer Wednesday, January 17, 2007 COLUMBUS — Getting rid of indoor smoking in prisons is about as popular as replacing jelly-filled doughnuts with cold gruel in the chow hall. A review team told Gov. Ted Strickland that the new state law banning indoor smoking is among the most controversial regulations in the prison system. Although a ban has been in place since November 2005, some question how widely it is being enforced. Read more: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/16/ddn011707prisonsmoke.html

From the 1/12/07 Miami Student: Smoke remains in spite of ban Lack of enforcement guidelines lead multiple bars to ignore law Ashley Doyle, Senior Staff Writer Issue date: 1/12/07 Section: Community Miami University students can still find smoke lingering in the air in Oxford's bars and restaurants, despite a law banning smoke in indoor public places that Ohio voters passed in November. The SmokeFreeOhio campaign became a reality Nov. 7, as the majority of Ohio residents supported Issue 5, prohibiting smoking in places of employment along with most enclosed areas. However, the law - which went into effect beginning Dec. 7 - is not being fully enforced throughout the state. Read more: www.miamistudent.net/media/storage/paper776/news/2007/01/12/Community/Smoke.Remains.In.Spite.Of.Ban-2628257.shtml?sourcedomain=www.miamistudent.net&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com]http://media.www.miamistudent.net/media/storage/paper776/news/2007/01/12/Community/Smoke.Remains.In.Spite.Of.Ban-2628257.shtml?sourcedomain=www.miamistudent.net&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com

From the 1/11/07 Ashtabula Star Beacon: Where there's smoke, there's ire - - in Ohio Thousands report puffing people to state By MARK TODD Staff Writer [email protected] Less than six weeks into Ohio's new no-smoking law, people are more than willing to blow the whistle on folks they catch blowing smoke. Read more: http://www.starbeacon.com/local/local_story_011071535

From the AP, 1/10/07: Ohio’s ban obliterates bars’ custom-made smoking rooms Some merchants spent thousands of dollars to accommodate customers Wednesday, January 10, 2007 John Seewer ASSOCIATED PRESS TOLEDO — Joe Myler’s tavern is split down the middle by a big glass wall. He added it along with a new ventilation system to create a separate room for smokers. "We basically took our bar and cut it in half," he said. Now, the $35,000 addition is essentially obsolete because of Ohio’s ban on smoking inside most public places. "That’s an awful lot of money to absorb for a room that’s now defunct," Myler said. "I’m not really pleased about it." Read more: http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/10/20070110-C7-01.html

From the 1/8/07 Athens News: Rules for smoking enforcement still being worked out By Nick Claussen Athens NEWS Associate Editor Monday, January 8th, 2007 In some bars in Athens, the ashtrays have been removed and the customers are going outside to smoke, often on the sidewalks in front of the businesses. In other bars, though, the ashtrays remain visible and customers are continuing to smoke inside. So just what is allowed and what isn't allowed in the wake of November's passage of Issue 5, the statewide smoking ban? Why are some businesses allowing smoking and others are not? And who's responsible for picking up all of those cigarette butts on the sidewalks? "There are no rules right now," acknowledged Chuck Hammer, administrator for the Athens City/County Health Department. Read more: http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle&section=news&story_id=26992 From same: Smoking ban sees wildly different bar enforcement strategies By Angela Rito Athens NEWS Campus Reporter Monday, January 8th, 2007 A month after becoming law in Ohio, the indoor smoking ban that passed on Nov. 7 in 2006, is causing confusion among Athens bar owners, local residents and Ohio University students. OU students have returned to Athens after the winter break to find that most of their favorite bars and restaurants have replaced ashtrays with "No Smoking" signs, becoming completely smoke-free. Read more: http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle&section=news&story_id=26985 From the 1/8/07 (OU) Post: Some Uptown bars refuse to uphold smoking ban Matt Zapotosky / City Senior Writer / [email protected] A state law that banned smoking in public places took effect more than a month ago, but people Uptown are still lighting up inside Pawpurr’s Bar and the Union Bar & Grill. Most Athens bars have gone smoke-free, but a few holdouts remain as Ohio Department of Health officials hammer out the details of enforcing the ban. Read more: http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/articles/2007/01/08/news/16526.html From same: Hookah bar’s future unclear, owner says For now, Pharao’s hookah bar on Mill Street is OK to operate under the smoking ban. The hookah bar generates more than 80 percent of its sales from tobacco products, making it an exception under the law that bans smoking in public places. But Chuck Casagrande, who runs the business with his wife, Adrienne, is not ready to say he’ll definitely stay open until the enforcement rules are finalized this spring. At that point, Casagrande said he will know whether Pharao’s is an exception. Read more: http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/articles/2007/01/08/news/16527.html From same: No tears shed by café owner in absence of hookahs Hilarie Burhans knew that if the smoking ban passed in November, it might be the end of her hookah business. She voted for it anyway. Now — more than a month after the ban officially became law — Burhans is no longer running a hookah bar on Court Street named Shishah Café, but a restaurant in the same location named Salaam. And she has been since Thanksgiving, a few weeks before the ban actually became law. “It’s because of the ban, but frankly, we were always a restaurant that had hookah service as part of the whole package,” Burhans said. “We already had decided which way we were going to go (before the November vote).” Read more: http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/articles/2007/01/08/news/16528.html

From ThisWeek Canal Winchester, 1/4/07: Business owners react to smoking ban Thursday, January 4, 2007 By ROBERT PASCHEN ThisWeek Staff Writer Like others around Ohio, Canal Winchester businesses have had to make changes following the statewide smoking ban approved by voters on Nov. 7. Jay Carey, director of public relations for the Ohio Department of Health, said it's the responsibility of businesses to uphold the smoking ban in their establishments. Read more: http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=canalwinchester&story=sites/thisweeknews/010407/CanalWinchester/News/010407-News-286681.html

From the 1/3/07 Fostoria Review Times: Burn 'em if you got 'em By RUSS ZIMMER staff writer As the ash begins to settle, private clubs and businesses may face stiff fines sooner rather than later for violating the smoking ban. Indications point toward the rules and procedures being completed by April, a full two months ahead of the June deadline, according to Marjorie Broadhead, commissioner of the Seneca County General Health District. "It shows we are committed to getting this thing done," she said. Read more: From the 1/3/07 (WSU) Guardian: New smoking policy goes into effect at Wright State New policy only enforced by Ohio Department of Health Kerry Lipp Issue date: 1/3/07 Section: News Like most public places, Wright State University is beginning the smoking policy changing process that was voted on during the November elections. The changes were put in motion at WSU on Dec. 7. The main change at WSU is the distance the ash trays are from doorways. Instead of being right outside the doors, the new legislation places ashtrays at least 15 feet from building entrances, said Provost David Hopkins. Also, signs are posted at every doorway reminding smokers to keep it away from the doorways. Read more: www.theguardianonline.com/media/storage/paper373/news/2007/01/03/News/New-Smoking.Policy.Goes.Into.Effect.At.Wright.State-2600029.shtml?sourcedomain=www.theguardianonline.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com]http://media.www.theguardianonline.com/media/storage/paper373/news/2007/01/03/News/New-Smoking.Policy.Goes.Into.Effect.At.Wright.State-2600029.shtml?sourcedomain=www.theguardianonline.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com

From the 12/28/06 Lakewood Sun Post: Smoke clouds Confusion rules issue Thursday, December 28, 2006 By Lisa Novatny Lakewood Sun Post While voters approved a statewide smoking ban that went into effect Dec. 7, what concerns many Lakewood bar owners now is how this ban will be enforced. The passage of Issue 5, which prohibits smoking in all public places and places of employment, protects rights to breathe clean air. Although the law is in effect, citations cannot be written and fines cannot be implemented until the rules of enforcement are decided on by the Ohio Department of Health. That process could take up to six months. Read more: http://www.cleveland.com/sun/lakewoodsunpost/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1167327838270320.xml&coll=3

From the 12/23/06 PD: Campaign: Smoking ban not matter of life, death Saturday, December 23, 2006 Joseph L. Wagner Plain Dealer Reporter Hundreds of restaurants and bars in Cuyahoga County received cartons of matchless matchbooks that offer smokers and other patrons a suicide-prevention hot line number. The Cuyahoga County Mental Health Board delivered 100,000 of the matchbooks this week as restaurants and bars wrestle with a controversial new state ban on smoking in public places. The matchbooks make no mention of the no-smoking law, but a cover letter from board Director Bill Denihan opens with the phrase, "To support your business through the Ohio smoking ban." Read more: http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1166866974220980.xml&coll=2