From the 11/18/05 Enquirer:

 

Ban sought on indoor smoking

165,000 signatures on petition to Ohio lawmakers

By Tim Bonfield

Enquirer staff writer

 

A coalition of anti-smoking groups submitted more than 165,000 signatures Thursday calling for a statewide indoor smoking ban in Ohio.  If at least 97,000 of those signatures are verified, voters could see a proposed smoking ban on the November 2006 ballot.

 

But before that vote ever occurs, expect plenty of political and legal battles during the next year as the powerful health lobby clashes with powerful business interests over a controversial debate between public health and personal choice.

 

"This is a public health issue. We feel very strongly that people who work in bars and restaurants should get the same health protections that people in offices have enjoyed for years," said Shelly Kiser, spokeswoman for SmokeFree Ohio, the advocacy group that gathered the signatures.

 

Full article at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051118/NEWS01/511180448/1056/rss02

 

Summit snuffs out smoking indoors

Bars included, with exceptions

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Steve Luttner

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Akron -- Smokers will soon have to take it outside more often in Summit County.  The Summit County Council narrowly passed an ordinance Monday night restricting indoor smoking, making it illegal to smoke in bars, restaurants and workplaces in the county.  There is a $150 fine for a first offense.

 

The proposal, which passed 6-5, pitted bar owners and smokers against those who decry the ill effects of secondhand cigarette smoke.  "This will save lives," said Gene Nixon, Summit County health commissioner.  "This is a courageous thing to do."

 

More at http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer

From the 11/19/05 Toledo Blade:

 

 

CAPSULE: Proposed vs. Current Limits

 

Smoke ban plan among the toughest

Law being sought for Ohio would be strictest in Midwest

By JIM PROVANCE

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS - If Ohio adopts what anti-tobacco groups put before it on Thursday, the Buckeye State would have the strictest statewide ban on smoking in public places in the Midwest and one of the toughest in the country.

 

With just a handful of exceptions, smokers would have to step outside and away from the door when they want to light up at any enclosed business or public gathering place.  That would include virtually all bars, restaurants, fraternal organizations, schools, government buildings, workplaces, and, in some cases, the outdoor patio on the other side of the wall.

 

"If you look at what happened in Washington state during the first part of the month, it was an overwhelming victory for smoke-free air," said Michael Tacelosky, who helps to operate SmokeFree.net, a Web site that organizes letter-writing campaigns in support of clean indoor air laws.  "I don't believe Ohio voters will choose any differently," he said.

 

Full article at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051119/NEWS24/511190427/-1/NEWS

 

From the 12/29/05 Enquirer:

 

Smoking ban on Ohio agenda

Petitions send plan to legislature

By Howard Wilkinson

Enquirer staff writer and Enquirer news services

 

With many Americans already living under some kind of government smoking restriction, anti-smoking forces moved closer Wednesday to adding Ohio to the total - either through the state legislature or by the voters next fall.

 

Smoke-Free Ohio - a coalition of organizations such as the American Lung Association, American Cancer Society and American Heart Association - took another step toward banning smoking in public places Wednesday when Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell certified 117,026 signatures.

 

In Cincinnati, where bar owners fought off a smoking ban this year, opponents of the ban say that one way or another, the ban could be reality by the end of next year.  "It's going to be really hard to stop," said Tom Ford, co-owner of Murphy's Pub in Clifton Heights and head of the Greater Cincinnati Hospitality Association. "We just don't have the money to fight them. It's a David-versus-Goliath thing. We're outnumbered."

 

Full article at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051229/NEWS01/512290345/1056/rss02

 

---

Smoking bans across Ohio

By the Associated Press

 

Communities across Ohio that restrict public smoking:

 

Bexley

Bowling Green

Centerville

Columbus

Dublin

Fairfield

Gahanna

Grandview Heights

Granville

Grove City

Heath

Hilliard

Marble Cliff

New Albany

Newark

Powell

Toledo

Upper Arlington

Wauseon

Westerville

Worthington

 

SOURCE: SmokeFreeOhio

 

http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/1229ohsmokingbanbox.html

These bar owners might as well throw in the towel. The momentum is too great to stop this from happening. The most they can hope to do create delays.

 

Ohio bar owners challenge petitions for statewide ban

Friday, December 30, 2005

Associated Press

 

Columbus -- Backers of a statewide smoking ban have collected enough signatures on petitions to place the issue before the Legislature, but first, they must fight a group representing bar owners that has challenged the petitions.  The bar owners say the people collecting some of the signatures violated state election laws.

 

The statewide ban would prohibit smoking in public places, such as restaurant, bars and offices.  SmokeFreeOhio submitted about 165,000 signatures to Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's office.  Blackwell said Wednesday that 117,026 of the signatures were those of Ohio voters and that the proposal was forwarded to the Legislature.

 

The Ohio Licensed Beverage Association said Wednesday that it has challenged petitions in 10 counties.  It says the circulators came from out of state, listed the wrong employer or committed other violations of Ohio election law.  SmokeFreeOhio, a coalition of the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and other health groups, thinks it will prevail if the challenges go to court, spokeswoman Tracy Sabetta said.

 

More at http://www.daytondailynews.com

Here's a longer version of the same story that mentions the legislature taking steps on the issue before it even has a chance to be placed on the ballot.  I'm sure Cincinnati legislators aren't just going to let this coast through:

 

Legislature considers proposing its own statewide smoking ban

By the Associated Press

 

COLUMBUS | Lawmakers are considering a pre-emptive strike against a group that has moved a step closer to putting a statewide ban on indoor smoking before voters in November.

 

Backers of the ban learned Wednesday that they had collected enough signatures on petitions to place the issue before the legislature. But first, they must fight a group representing bar owners that has challenged the petitions.  They also may have to deal with legislators who want their own, less restrictive ban, said Rep. Bill Seitz of Cincinnati, the No. 6 House Republican and an opponent of a statewide ban.

 

The ban proposed by SmokeFreeOhio would prohibit smoking in public places such as restaurants, bars and offices. Seitz said businesses that would be affected by the ban are talking about asking the legislature for a ban that would set aside areas for smokers in restaurants, bars, country clubs, hotels and other public gathering spots.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/1230ohsmokeban.html

From the 1/4/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Lawsuit wants smoking-ban petitions nixed

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS - A coalition of Ohio bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, and private clubs fighting an attempt to enact a broad indoor smoking ban in public places filed suit yesterday to invalidate Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's certification of the petitions.

 

"It's our belief that the secretary of state overstepped his authority in certifying the petitions while protests were still pending," said Jacob Evans, lobbyist for the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association. "In Franklin County, for example, it certainly appears there were several hundred, if not thousands, of fraudulent signatures submitted."  The suit was filed in the 10th District Court of Appeals in Columbus.

 

Yesterday marked the start of the four-month clock for lawmakers to consider a proposed law submitted by SmokeFreeOhio, a coalition of health groups.  Mr. Blackwell last week certified the petitions as containing about 117,000 valid signatures of registered voters, more than the necessary 96,870.  He forwarded the proposed law to lawmakers.

 

Full article at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060104/NEWS02/601040426/-1/NEWS

 

From the 1/6/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Smoking ban's backers cite measure's simplicity

Advocate appears on 'Editors'

 

A proposed statewide indoor smoking ban voters may see on the November ballot doesn't go into detail defining bars or restaurants or bowling alleys, Tracy Sabetta, co-chairman of SmokeFreeOhio, said yesterday during a taping of The Editors television program.  "The reason it's been titled the 'Smoke Free Workplace Act' is because it's very simply covering any establishment in Ohio that has an employee," she said.  "If you have an employee, you're covered." 

 

Smoking would be allowed on outdoor patios, but the proposal makes no provision for separate smoking rooms.  The law would supersede smoking bans that are less restrictive - Toledo's, for instance.  Bans that are stricter - Powell, Ohio, bans smoking on outdoor patios - would stand.

 

If voters approve, the Ohio Department of Health will write the rules to put the ban in effect, Ms. Sabetta said.  SmokeFreeOhio prefers that the law be enforced by local boards of health when they conduct regular inspections.  "The police would not be involved. These are civil penalties," Ms. Sabetta said. "We're not looking at creating any kind of smoking police here."

 

More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060106/NEWS24/601060362

 

The police would not be involved. These are civil penalties," Ms. Sabetta said. "We're not looking at creating any kind of smoking police here."

 

Huh?  Isn't that exactly why you put something into law?

I didn't get that either!  It's a law, or it's not a law.  There's no need to pass one if you don't plan on enforcing it.

From the 1/10/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Weakened smoking ban pursued

2 Ohio lawmakers push for exemptions

By JIM PROVANCE

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS - Some lawmakers plan to make it difficult for Ohio's legislative leaders to steer clear of a looming war over smoking in indoor public places.  Two House members, one Republican and one Democrat, are pursuing legislation to enact a statewide ban that would exempt bars, bowling alleys, private clubs, and restaurants with separately ventilated smoking areas, a far less restrictive proposal than sought by SmokeFreeOhio.

 

"I see an outright smoking ban as proposed as limiting small business and usurping the rights of individuals," said freshman Rep. Tim Cassell (D., Madison). "We need to have something more moderate.  "I also believe we have to be consistent," he said. "Smoking bans in certain areas vary in degree as to restrictiveness and permissiveness so that an individual smoker doesn't know what he can or can't do."

 

SmokeFreeOhio's petitions have been certified and sent to the General Assembly, proposing a law that would, with few exceptions, prohibit smoking in enclosed places frequented by the public. The statewide ban would be among the strictest in the country.

 

More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060110/NEWS24/601100382/-1/RSS

 

From the 1/16/06 Toledo Blade:

 

TOBACCO

Statewide smoking limits face uphill fight

Prevention group can’t push for ban

By JIM PROVANCE

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS — Ohio’s anti-smoking effort, funded by the tobacco settlement, has poured more than $2 million into passage and implementation of local clean indoor air laws.  But now that the Super Bowl of smoking bans is before the Ohio General Assembly — a statewide ban that would be among the strictest in the nation — the Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation must sit on the sidelines, at least officially.

 

The 2000 law that created the foundation forbids it from lobbying or otherwise getting involved in a state ballot issue, the goal behind petitions certified by Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell and forwarded to lawmakers.

 

Despite the legal prohibition, foundation board members and employees have circulated petitions for the ban on their own time and the ballot issue could get a boost from the foundation’s $7 million-plus “stand” ad campaign this year warning of the dangers of secondhand smoke.  That ad campaign will go forward as planned but without mentioning the ballot issue.

 

More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060116/NEWS24/60116011/-1/RSS

 

From the 1/25/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Blackwell asks to unify petition cases

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS - Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell yesterday sought to consolidate into a single case 34 different court challenges across the state seeking to invalidate petitions for a statewide ban on indoor public smoking.

 

If successful, Mr. Blackwell's move would transfer the 34 cases to Franklin County Common Pleas Court, where a single judge would decide whether enough valid signatures of registered voters were filed to put the proposed smoking ban before lawmakers.

 

Mr. Blackwell has already certified the petitions and forwarded them to the General Assembly.  "Challenges at the county level tend to be focused on similar issues, and all of the challenges address directives from the secretary of state," Blackwell spokesman Carlo LoParo said.

 

More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060125/NEWS24/601250433/-1/NEWS

 

From the 2/6/06 Enquirer:

 

Smoking ban gets support

Poll says Ohioans favor statewide restrictions

BY PEGGY O'FARRELL | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

 

A slim majority of Ohio residents favor a statewide ban on smoking in all workplaces, restaurants and bars, according to a poll from the Greater Cincinnati Health Foundation.  The poll found that 52.3 percent of state residents favor the blanket ban.

 

Roughly one in four Ohio residents smoked in 2004, compared to one in five nationally, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  From 2002 to 2004, smoking rates declined by less than 1 percent in Ohio, compared to 2.2 percent nationally.  The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percent.

 

Smoke-free Ohio, a coalition of health advocacy organizations, said it hopes to put a statewide smoking ban on the ballot in November.  Last year, the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association released a poll showing 55 percent of respondents would prefer a limited statewide ban on smoking rather than a ban in public places.  That poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.

 

More at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060206/NEWS01/602060336/1056/rss02

 

From the 3/13/06 Dayton Daily News:

 

 

Polls on Ohio smoking ban contradict each other

By Shaheen Samavati

Columbus Bureau

 

Groups on both sides of a statewide smoking ban debate released polls Tuesday with contradicting results.

 

A poll commissioned by SmokeFreeOhio, a group working to put a total smoking ban on the November ballot, showed 60 percent of likely voters in Ohio, and 62 percent in the Dayton area, favor the proposed ban.

 

But a poll commissioned by the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association shows 46 percent of likely voters support the total ban, and 71 percent would prefer a more "moderate" proposal.

 

OLBA wants exceptions for bars, bowling alleys, private clubs and separate rooms in restaurants.

 

...

 

http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0313capcor.html

 

A view on the subject from another state.

 

Talk of Maine

By Jeff Clark

Smoke-Free Tourism

 

Maine's ban on tobacco in bars and restaurants hasn't hurt business in the least. 

 

Over the past decade Representative Sheila Francoeur, of the New Hampshire legislature, has carved out a reputation as a steadfast opponent of banning smoking in her state's lounges and restaurants.  Now she has reversed her position and become a major sponsor of a bill that would ban smoking in all public places, including restaurants and bars.  And it's all because of Maine.

 

Francouer says she always feared that a law against smoking in New Hampshire would send tourists to other more tobacco-friendly places, such as Maine, where until 2004 smoking was still allowed in bars. (It was banned in restaurants in 1999.)  "The one thing that changed my mind is the fact that Maine went completely smoke-free when it banned smoking in lounges," she explains, "and it had little or no effect on their business.  That left New Hampshire as the only New England state that was not smoke-free. Then it became a health issue, not an economic one."

 

More at http://www.downeast.com/talk.html

Challenge to smoking ban petitions fails

3/17/2006, 5:56 p.m. ET 

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A state magistrate on Friday rejected a challenge to petitions seeking to enact a statewide indoor smoking ban.

 

The secretary of state's office certified in late December that supporters of the ban turned in enough signatures to put the issue before lawmakers. If the Legislature fails to act by May 3 or introduces a bill that significantly changes the proposal, supporters can gather a new round of signatures to put the proposed law directly before voters in November.

 

The magistrate rejected the argument by bar owners who said Blackwell exceeded his authority by certifying the petition signatures while the group was still challenging signatures in about 30 counties.

 

Attorneys for the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association are reviewing the ruling before deciding whether to appeal, said Jacob Evans, the group's lobbyist.  SmokeFreeOhio, the group supporting the ban, is going forward with plans to collect more signatures starting in May, spokeswoman Tracy Sabetta said.

 

More at http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?/base/news-23/1142637255237970.xml&storylist=cleveland

From the AP, 4/8/06:

 

Full ban on public smoking opposed

Group tries to exempt some establishments

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

 

COLUMBUS - The trade group representing the state's tavern owners is putting forth a competing proposal to trump a proposed statewide smoking ban.  Both groups are trying to collect enough signatures to get the different bans on the ballot.

 

Petitions for a proposed constitutional amendment were submitted Friday to the state attorney general's office for certification. 

 

The amendment would require lawmakers to ban smoking in public places but exempt certain establishments such as bars, bingo halls, racetracks, bowling alleys and closed-off smoking areas in restaurants, hotels and nursing homes.  If the language is certified, the group must collect nearly 323,000 signatures to get it on the ballot.

 

Full article at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060408/NEWS01/604080385/1056/rss02

 

From the 4/20/06 Toledo Blade:

 

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Statewide smoking ban showdown takes shape

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS - A showdown over a statewide smoking ban moved closer to reality yesterday.  Attorney General Jim Petro yesterday approved language that a business coalition intends to place on petitions it will ask at least 320,000 registered voters to sign.  The coalition includes bars, restaurants, retailers, and racetracks.

 

The petitions would place a proposed constitutional amendment on the Nov. 7 ballot, an alternative to a much stricter indoor smoking ban being pushed by SmokeFreeOhio, a coalition of health organizations.

 

"This is another step towards giving Ohio voters a real choice in November about our state's smoking policy," said Jacob Evans, lobbyist for the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association and a leader of the business group.  "Our polling has shown us that Ohioans prefer a reasonable smoking policy over a total smoking ban," he said.  "We plan to give them that option."

 

The constitutional amendment would permit smoking in bars, bowling areas, restaurants with enclosed smoking areas, bingo halls, racetracks, and designated smoking rooms in hotels and nursing homes.  The stricter proposal, following the more time-consuming initiated-statute route, would ban smoking in nearly all indoor places frequented by the general public.

 

More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060420/NEWS24/604200458/-1/NEWS

 

From the 4/29/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Smoking ban foes lose bid to void rival petitions

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS - A state appeals court rejected an attempt yesterday by a coalition of bars, restaurants, and other opponents of a strict statewide ban on public indoor smoking to reverse the certification of petitions that put the question before lawmakers.

 

The bar and restaurant coalition, calling itself Smoke Less Ohio, has already launched its own petition effort, proposing a constitutional amendment that would enact a less restrictive ban with exemptions for bars, bingo halls, racetracks, bowling alleys, and restaurants with separate smoking rooms.

 

A three-judge panel of the 10th District Court of Appeals in Columbus refused to turn back the clock on the initiated statute process begun by a coalition of health organizations calling itself SmokeFreeOhio.

 

The first-phase of the statute process is nearing an end. With lawmakers showing no inclination to act, the second phase will involve a new round of petitions to put the stricter proposal directly before voters on Nov. 7.  It's possible both proposals could appear side by side on the ballot.

 

More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060429/NEWS24/604290351/-1/NEWS

 

---

From the 4/29/06 PD:

 

Reynolds supports your right to puff

Company seeks smoking amendment

Saturday, April 29, 2006

Harlan Spector

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., the maker of Kools and Camels, is taking a leading role to pass a constitutional amendment that would protect public smoking in Ohio.  The nation's second-largest cigarette maker on Wednesday signed an e-mail calling for volunteers to go to the polls during Tuesday's primary election and collect signatures.

 

The amendment planned for the November ballot would restrict smoking in some workplaces, but would exempt bars, restaurants, bowling alleys and other businesses.  The amendment would nullify a number of local smoking bans in Ohio, as well as a statewide initiative proposed for the November ballot to outlaw indoor, public smoking.

 

R.J. Reynolds' attempt to change the Ohio Constitution has angered anti-smoking activists, who are offended by the company's brazenness and who fear voters will confuse the two issues. The Ohio Licensed Beverage Association, which represents bar and restaurant owners, is promoting the amendment as a question of choice.

 

More at

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1146300099124790.xml&coll=2

 

From the 5/4/06 Dispatch:

 

GRAPHIC: Regulating smoking

 

Smoking-ban proposals butt heads

One bans lighting up in nearly all public places; other limits it to mostly bars

Thursday, May 04, 2006

James Nash

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Ohio voters could be forgiven if they’re confused about two smoking-related ballot initiatives for which supporters began gathering signatures this week.  Supporters pitch both as moderate efforts to curb smoking in restaurants, workplaces and other public places.  Backers of each measure say it would help businesses, and both sides point to polls that show they’re headed to victory in November.

 

In reality, however, the measures have little in common.

 

The one backed by the American Cancer Society would virtually banish smoking from public places in Ohio with few exceptions.  The one sponsored by the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association would allow smoking in bars and in parts of restaurants while repealing tougher anti-smoking measures in Columbus and other cities.

 

More at http://www.dispatch.com/?story=dispatch/2006/05/04/20060504-E5-00.html

From the 5/6/06 Dispatch:

 

Ruling is blow to antismoking plan

Judge invalidates thousands of signatures

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Catherine Candisky

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

In a victory for opponents of a strict statewide smoking ban, a Franklin County judge yesterday invalidated thousands of signatures that had been collected to get such a ban on the Nov. 7 ballot.

 

Supporters say the ruling by Judge David E. Cain will not snuff out Ohioans’ chance to vote this fall on the proposal backed by the American Cancer Society.

 

"We are extremely committed to our efforts," said Wendy Simpkins, spokeswoman for the society. "The tobacco companies have deep pockets and they keep throwing (challenges), but Ohio voters should not be penalized because of this ruling."

 

More at http://www.dispatch.com

 

From the 5/13/06 Parkersburg News and Sentinel:

 

Petition aims to put a smoking ban on ballot

By KATE YORK, Special to The News

 

MARIETTA — Area volunteers are knocking on doors, calling friends and even bringing petitions to wedding and family barbecues in an effort to allow Ohio residents to vote in November on making the state smoke free.  The American Cancer Society kicked off the petition drive May 3 and in 90 days volunteers must get 96,780 valid signatures from across the state in order to get the SmokeFree Workplace Act on the ballot.

 

It’s the second stage of the process. In November, the group obtained 165,000 signatures to have the act go before the Ohio General Assembly.  The act would ban smoking anywhere with employees or where the public is invited in, said Wendy Simpkins, American Cancer Society spokeswoman.

 

“All the polls are showing that there’s really a lot of support for this,” she said.  “People are realizing that secondhand smoke causes lung cancer, heart disease and other diseases and that this will allow everyone from children to elderly people to enjoy public places.”

 

Many local residents say if the act makes it on the ballot they will support it.

 

More at http://newsandsentinel.com/articles.asp?articleID=4749

 

From Business First of Columbus, 6/2/06:

 

Signatures on smoking ban petition ruled invalid

Business First of Columbus - 5:01 PM EDT Friday

 

Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge David Cain has ruled more than 43,000 signatures of Ohioans who support a statewide smoking ban in public places are invalid. 

 

The ruling on the signatures collected by the SmokeFree Ohio Workplace Committee follows one issued May 5 that found paid employees of SmokeFree incorrectly listed the American Cancer Society as their employer rather than the independent contractor they were working for.  A complaint filed by the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association, an opponent of the statewide ban, led to the ruling.

 

SmokeFree spokeswoman Shelly Kiser said the Secretary of State's legal council had advised the nonprofit group to list the cancer society as the employer of those hired to collect signatures.  Signatures collected by SmokeFree volunteers are considered valid but those collected by paid personnel have been discarded.

 

"This is just another tactic that alcohol and tobacco industries are using to try and stop us because they know (the smoking ban) is going to pass," Kiser said.

 

More at http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/05/29/daily38.html?from_rss=1

 

From the 6/29/06 Marion Star:

 

Smoke Less opposes SmokeFree

Two groups seek different restriction

By JOHN JARVIS

The Marion Star

 

MARION - An effort to put a statewide smoking ban up for a vote is one of several measures being pursued to curb smoking in Ohio.  SmokeFree Ohio continues its campaign to place the issue on the November ballot in the face of a Franklin County judge's invalidation of approximately 43,000 petition signatures, said Donald McTigue, attorney for SmokeFree Ohio.

 

To put such an issue on the Nov. 7 ballot, the group has to gather enough signatures to put it before the General Assembly, where it receives four months review, and collect enough signatures to put the issue before the voters, McTigue said.

 

Wendy Simpkins, spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society, expressed optimism about the SmokeFree effort.  "We're going very well," Simpkins said, adding that supporters of the ballot issue recently won a stay of execution from the 10th District Court of Appeals, which temporarily stops Judge David Cain's ruling from taking effect.  The group continues to collect petition signatures in an effort to make up the approximately 20,000 more that it needs following Cain's ruling, and will collect signatures through July 31 to put the issue on the November ballot.

 

Who to contact?

For SmokeFree Ohio visit:

www.smokefreeohio.org

 

For Smoke Less Ohio, visit:

www.smokelessohio.org

 

Full article at http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060629/NEWS01/606290325/1002/rss01

 

From the 7/26/06 Enquirer:

 

More than half want smoke-free

Survey: Nearly 55 percent favor ban in public places

BY PEGGY O'FARRELL | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

 

More than half of Ohio's residents would support a statewide law banning smoking from public places, according to a statewide health issues survey.

 

The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati's 2006 Ohio Health Issues Poll showed 54.5 percent favored prohibiting tobacco in workplaces, restaurants and bars.  Last year, 52.3 percent favored a statewide law.

 

Pat O'Connor, a foundation vice president, said support varies for restrictions on smoking, depending on the venue.  Even smokers support restricting tobacco use in some areas, she said.  Support dropped when those in the survey were asked about banning smoking in bars and restaurants rather than in workplaces, the survey showed.

 

More at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060726/NEWS01/607260354/1056

 

From the 7/28/06 Toledo Blade:

 

More signatures will be filed to back Ohio smoke-ban vote

Health coalition plans ads against a weaker proposal

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS - A coalition of health organizations seeking a nearly complete ban on smoking in indoor public places will file its second round of signatures this morning to put the issue before voters on the Nov. 7 ballot.

 

It also plans to unveil an advertising campaign urging Ohioans not to sign petitions being circulated by an organization backed by the hospitality and tobacco industry for a weaker smoking ban exempting bars, restaurants with separate smoking rooms, and bowling alleys.

 

SmokeFreeOhio, backed by organizations like the American Cancer Society, is seeking to initiate the ban as a state law after lawmakers did nothing when a first round of signatures put the issue before them earlier this year.

 

More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060728/NEWS24/607280364/-1/RSS

 

From the 7/29/06 Dispatch:

 

DUELING STATE PROPOSALS

Ban on smoking faces 2 hurdles

Measure not yet on ballot, where it might compete with amendment to trump it

Saturday, July 29, 2006

James Nash

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Anti-smoking activists submitted more than 185,000 signatures yesterday for a measure to ban smoking across Ohio, but getting the issue on the fall ballot might be the least of their challenges.

 

A rival measure could trump both the proposed statewide ban and smoking restrictions already enacted in Columbus and more than 20 other Ohio cities. That means advocates of the statewide ban might have to not only campaign to get their measure passed but also to defeat the competing proposal.

 

A group backed by bar and restaurant owners and the tobacco industry is gathering signatures for a proposed constitutional amendment that would permit smoking in bars, separately ventilated areas of restaurants, bingo halls, bowling centers and any business where children are not allowed.

 

More at http://www.dispatch.com/?story=dispatch/2006/07/29/20060729-A1-02.html

Nice tactics.  :drunk:

 

Petitioners blowing smoke

 

4:09 p.m.

 

The group pushing for a statewide public smoking ban says petitioners for a counter issue are misrepresenting themselves and the smoking ban proposal in order to collect signatures.

 

Petition circulators for the pro-tobacco group are making deceptive statements that the anti-smoking issue would prohibit smoking in homes, according to representatives from SmokeFree Ohio and the American Cancer Society.

 

Pro-tobacco canvassers are also accused of claiming they represent SmokeFree Ohio and the cancer society as they scramble for 323,000 signatures by Aug. 9 in order to reach the November ballot.

 

The accusations are contained in a letter from a lawyer representing SmokeFree Ohio to parties on the other side. A spokesman for the pro-tobacco group that calls itself SmokeLess Ohio said the group has told circulators to represent the issues accurately.

 

If this isnt a "nanny state" issue, I dont know what is.  Those annoying petition signers where out in force during the Celtic Festival this weekend. 

 

I think those poll numbers are interesting, too.  Republicans favor the ban...so much for "getting Govt. off our backs"!

From the 8/4/06 Dispatch:

 

Opposing smoking groups battling in appeals court

Friday, August 04, 2006

 

A group opposed to stringent restrictions on smoking in Ohio yesterday filed a court motion to block a petition by antismoking activists for a November ballot initiative. 

 

Both groups, the restaurantand tobacco-supported Smoke Less Ohio and the American Cancer Society-backed Smoke Free Ohio, are aiming for the November ballot.  Smoke Less Ohio supporters yesterday asked the Franklin County Court of Appeals to order the secretary of state to hold Smoke Free Ohio’s petition until challenges to some of its signatures are resolved.

 

A Franklin County Common Pleas judge ruled in May that 44,000 of the 117,026 signatures Smoke Free Ohio submitted were invalid because petition circulators had failed to identify their employer correctly. The court, however, did not order Smoke Free Ohio to abandon its efforts, and the group appealed the decision while forging ahead with its petition drive.

 

More at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/08/04/20060804-C6-03.html

 

From the 8/10/06 Toledo Blade:

 

Warring smoking bans heat up as sides file their petitions

By JIM PROVANCE

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS - The battle of the smoking bans was officially under way yesterday as backers of an exemption-laden proposal filed more than half a million signatures seeking a constitutional amendment, and supporters of a much stricter ban challenged the petitions.

 

Both questions could appear on the Nov. 2 ballot. Even if voters should approve both, the weaker ban, a proposed constitutional amendment, would trump its stricter counterpart. Backers of the stricter ban have pursued the initiated statute route rather than seek a change in the state's constitution.

 

The Smoke Less Ohio proposal would ban smoking in enclosed places with the exception of bars, restaurants with separate smoking rooms, bowling alleys, fraternal clubs, bingo halls, and any business that prohibits children.  As a constitutional amendment, it would override bans enacted in Toledo and other Ohio cities.

 

More at

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060810/NEWS24/608100408/-1/NEWS

 

The stricter ban, pushed by SmokeFree Ohio, would ban smoking outright in indoor public places and businesses with employees with virtually very few exceptions.

 

The Grammar & Style Czar is very, very angry.

The only way a Cincinnati Smoking Ban would work is if the entire state supports it.  It would minimize bars relocating to the Ohio burbs although NKY is across the river.  I am sure some patrons would cross the river to smoke in bars but you might have quite a few that cross into Ohio to be in a smoke free environments.

From the 8/24/06 PD:

 

Smoke Free group's wording to go on ballot

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Aaron Marshall

Plain Dealer Bureau

 

Columbus -- Supporters of a ballot issue banning smoking in public places were ready to do everything but light up a victory cigar after the Ohio Ballot Board decided to adopt their language for the proposed issue.

 

The board ruled unanimously Wednesday to adopt the ballot language favored by the Smoke Free Ohio group. The board's ruling means that the issue will state first that the proposed law would "prohibit smoking in public places and places of employment."

 

Another issue that could be on the November ballot, commonly known as the smoke-less Ohio amendment, has ballot language stating that the issue "prohibits smoking in enclosed areas" -- except for exempted public places such as bars and restaurants with smoking sections.  It was a big enough distinction to satisfy smoking ban advocates.

 

More at http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1156408662264730.xml&coll=2

 

From the 8/31/06 Massillon Independent:

 

Smoke-free or smoke less?

By ERIN PUSTAY

[email protected]

 

The line has been drawn, and it’s nearly time for Ohio voters to choose sides. Only one question remains, and it’s a familiar one. Smoking or non?

 

This November, two statewide smoking issues – SmokeFreeOhio and Smoke Less Ohio – are likely to face off on the ballot.  The key to choosing, according to spokespeople for both campaigns, is knowing what each issue is about.

 

Understanding the basics of each issue is not hard, it just involves a critical look at each campaign, according to Shelly Kiser, communications director for SmokeFreeOhio.  “We want to be clear about what SmokeFreeOhio and Smoke Less Ohio are,” Kiser said.  “They sound like the same thing, but they are vastly different.”

 

More at http://www.indeonline.com/index.php?ID=10035&r=0&Category=3

 

This coming election is going to be a good one....can't wait :-D

From the 8/28/06 News-Herald:

 

Legislators say smoking ban will hurt tax revenue

Is the ban a bad thing?

By: David W. Jones

08/28/2006

 

Some state legislators hope Ohio won't lose tobacco and liquor "sin tax" revenue after voters decide on two proposed rival cigarette smoking issues on the Nov. 7 statewide ballot.  Watching closely are state Reps. Matt Dolan, R-Russell Township, Lorraine Fende, D-Willowick, James P. Trakas, R-Independence and state Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chester Township.

 

They wonder if $763 million in such annual state revenues would be affected if voters approve issues proposed by SmokeFreeOhio or Smoke Less Ohio, or even a proposed gambling issue.

 

SmokeFreeOhio wants to ban smoking mainly in bars and restaurants.  Smoke Less Ohio wants to simply limit smoking in some public places.

 

Dolan, who sits on the Ohio House Finance and Appropriations Committee, is concerned.  "Personally, I'm not a smoker, and I don't like it," Dolan said.  "But what you have is a state that decided in its last budget that tobacco be a vehicle to balance the budget. Now you have a drive (SmokeFreeOhio) that could eliminate the tax.

 

More at http://www.news-herald.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=17118216&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21849&rfi=8

From the 9/8/06 Dispatch:

 

Smoke Free Ohio wins spot on Nov. 7 ballot

Friday, September 08, 2006

James Nash

 

A group pushing for a statewide ban on indoor smoking has gotten enough petition signatures for a November ballot measure, the secretary of state’s office said yesterday.  Smoke Free Ohio submitted 114,517 valid signatures, nearly 18,000 more than the minimum to qualify.  The American Cancer Society-backed group is advocating a ban on smoking in bars, restaurants, bowling alleys and other public establishments.

 

A rival measure dubbed Smoke Less Ohio has not yet qualified for the ballot, but its backers also are aiming for a Nov. 7 vote.  Smoke Less Ohio would allow smoking in businesses limited to adults, such as bars, and would repeal smoking bans in several cities, including Columbus and several suburbs.  Because Smoke Less Ohio’s is a constitutional amendment, it would trump Smoke Free Ohio if both were approved.

 

More at http://www.dispatch.com/?story=dispatch/2006/09/08/20060908-B5-10.html

 

---

From the 9/8/06 Springfield News-Sun:

 

Forged signatures, dead voters apparently on petitions

Election officials investigate Smoke Less Ohio.

By Diane Erwin

Staff Writer

Friday, September 08, 2006

 

Elections officials in Clark County found what appear to be forged signatures and names of dead residents on Smoke Less Ohio petitions and will subpoena at least 12 people to attend the next Board of Elections meeting.

 

"We identified what we felt were irregularities," board Director Linda Rosicka said, referring questions to Clark County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Pickering.  Champaign and Logan counties also are investigating petitions.

 

Some signatures on the petition didn't match those on record with the board, Pickering said.  The board also contacted people they knew, if their signature was in question.  Kathy Payton, who recently retired from the Clark County Commission office, was one who was called.  "They forged my name," she said. "I would not have known anything had not the Board of Elections called me."

 

More at http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/09/07/sns090806petition.html

 

From the 9/9/06 PD:

 

Ohio health chief quiet on statewide ban on smoking

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Harlan Spector

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

As county health commissioners last spring developed the strategy for a public relations campaign for a statewide ban on indoor smoking in public places, they pleaded with Ohio's top health official to endorse the initiative.

 

While 78 local health departments in Ohio have endorsed the so-called SmokeFree issue, state Health Director Dr. J. Nick Baird has stayed on the sidelines.  In one of the most hotly contested state issues proposed for the November ballot, health advocates for SmokeFree face a pro-tobacco political faction seeking to ensure Ohioans' right to smoke in bars, restaurants and other venues.

 

The Association of Ohio Health Commissioners warned Baird in a May letter that lack of an endorsement for the SmokeFree Ohio initiative might be used by the opposition to defeat the smoking ban.

 

More at http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1157790796303420.xml&coll=2

 

From the 9/12/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

Vote uncertain for 2 Ohio plans to ban smoking

1 lacks signatures; 1 loses ruling

By JIM PROVANCE

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS - Ohio voters may not get a chance to decide between dueling smoking bans on Nov. 7 after all.

 

Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's office yesterday told the tobacco industry, bars, and restaurants that they had fallen nearly 50,000 signatures short of the 322,899 needed to put an exemption-laden ban on indoor public smoking before voters.

 

Meanwhile, a near-total ban on smoking pushed by a coalition of health organizations was dealt a severe blow by a state appeals court, despite having been certified for the ballot by Mr. Blackwell last week.

 

Read more:

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060912/NEWS09/609120392/-1/NEWS

 

Coalition behind mild smoke ban won't detail petition funding source

TOLEDO BLADE

Jim Provance

September 13, 2006

 

COLUMBUS - The coalition of bars, restaurants, and tobacco companies pushing an exemption-laden smoking ban is refusing to detail where it got the $1.5 million spent to gather half a million signatures to put the issue on the ballot.

 

Smoke Less Ohio is the only one of five initiatives seeking a place on the Nov. 7 ballot to refuse to reveal who paid for the circulation of its petitions.

 

Read more:

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060913/NEWS24/609130440/-1/NEWS

From the 9/15/06 DDN:

 

 

Smoking-ban backers to ask top court to keep issue on ballot

SmokeFreeOhio trying to get appellate ruling overturned to keep the issue before voters on Nov. 7.

By William Hershey

Staff Writer

Friday, September 15, 2006

 

COLUMBUS — Backers of a proposal to ban smoking in workplaces and most enclosed public spaces plan to go to the Ohio Supreme Court today in an effort to keep the issue before voters on Nov. 7.

 

Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell's office certified the issue for the ballot earlier this month, but that was before a state appeals court this week ruled against SmokeFreeOhio, the group backing the issue.

 

Meanwhile, Jacob Evans, spokesman for Smoke Less Ohio, a group supporting another, less restrictive smoking ban, said he was confident his group would submit the 49,678 additional signatures that Blackwell's office has said are needed to get this issue before voters. The proposal would ban smoking in most businesses, but exempt bars, restaurants, bowling alleys and some other businesses.

 

Read more:

 

http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/09/15/ddn091506smoking.html

 

From the 9/17/06 Warren Tribune Chronicle:

 

 

Pro-smoking petition draws fire in county

By STEPHEN ORAVECZ Tribune Chronicle

 

Add the Trumbull County Board of Elections to the list of those investigating petitions turned in by SmokeLess Ohio, which is trying to get a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot.

 

The petitions include signatures of voters who are deceased, some for many years, and signatures that look like they were written by the same person, election officials said.

 

Read more:

 

http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=8837

 

This is good news, because having the two ballot issues on at the same time would have been very confusing to the average voter.  Many voters might have even passed it over, with the lack of clarity between the two separate issues.  Now, hopefully, the state will get a good look at where the citizens stand on a statewide smoking ban!

 

Smoking measure short of required signatures

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

September 20, 2006

 

COLUMBUS - Backers of a ballot issue limiting smoking in public places failed again Tuesday to collect enough valid signatures to get on the Nov. 7 ballot.

 

State election officials gave supporters of Smoke Less Ohio another 10 days to collect the remaining 23,270 signatures it needs to qualify.

 

Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's office informed the group Sept. 11 that it was 49,678 signatures short of the required 322,899, the latter figure being 10 percent of the vote in the 1992 election for governor. It made up more than half the lag in that time.

 

Read more:

 

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060920/NEWS01/609200349

I think Taft's support is just about the last thing anyone would want....

 

 

Taft supports effort to ban smoking inside businesses

Thursday, September 21, 2006

 

Gov. Bob Taft yesterday endorsed a measure to ban smoking in indoor businesses across Ohio and denounced a rival ballot issue that would allow smoking in bars and parts of restaurants.

 

Read more:

 

http://www.dispatch.com/?story=dispatch/2006/09/21/20060921-D6-03.html

 

From the 9/22/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

Smoke Less Ohio files more signatures

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS - The coalition proposing an alternative smoking ban that exempts bars, restaurants, and other locations yesterday filed 181,402 additional signatures in hopes of getting its proposal to voters on Nov. 7.

 

Read more:

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060922/NEWS09/609220380/-1/NEWS

 

From the 9/23/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

Smoke ban ballot spot challenged

Industry group pushing weaker measure cites technicality

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS - Supporters of a weak ban on smoking in indoor public places asked the Ohio Supreme Court yesterday to remove a stricter smoking ban from the Nov. 7 ballot.

 

Read more:

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060923/NEWS09/609230425/-1/NEWS

 

Yipee Horay!

 

SmokeLess amendment OK'd for ballot

Thursday, September 28, 2006

T.C. Brown

Plain Dealer Bureau

 

Columbus - SmokeLess enjoyed more support Wednesday after the Ohio secretary of state's office certified signatures to put on the Nov. 7 ballot a constitutional amendment to allow smoking in selected areas.

 

Link unavailable.

 

From the 9/30/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

ELECTION 2006

Anti-smoking bans vie for votes

Weaker Issue 4 would supersede law in Toledo, other cities

By JIM PROVANCE

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS - If advocates of a near-total ban on smoking in indoor public places have their way, voters will be chanting "No on 4, Yes on 5" in their sleep by time Nov. 7 rolls around.

 

SmokeFreeOhio yesterday unveiled its campaign to persuade voters to approve its issue and simultaneously reject a competing proposal pushed by the tobacco and hospitality industries.

 

"If Issue 4 wins, we lose. We all lose our right to breathe smoke-free air," said Tracy Sabetta, spokesman for SmokeFreeOhio, a coalition of health organizations.

 

If both issues pass, Issue 4 would prevail because it is a constitutional amendment while SmokeFreeOhio is an initiated statute that would become state law. This would occur even if Issue 5 attracts more votes.

 

Read more:

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060930/NEWS09/609300408/-1/RSS