Ohio Smoking Ban

January 24, 200718 yr

So by going to war, they now have the right to smoke cigarettes and pollute my body? I'm sure I know what it's like -- and it's not healthy for anyone. It doesn't matter if you have PTSD or not (and what does that have to do with anything, or than poisoning the well?), if you smoke in a VFW, then you are violating the law. Period. Doesn't matter if you are a veteran or not, you will receive no special privileges in polluting other people's lungs.

January 24, 200718 yr

Hanging out in a VFW hall is punishment enough. Not the happiest places in the world.

January 24, 200718 yr

I'm experiencing post-post traumatic stress disorder.

Sorry.

January 25, 200718 yr

I'm experiencing post-post traumatic stress disorder.

Sorry.

You need more imagination and happiness in your life.

January 25, 200718 yr

^Believe me, the last thing KOOW needs is imagination.

January 25, 200718 yr

I imagine you're right.

January 25, 200718 yr

Hanging out in a VFW hall is punishment enough. Not the happiest places in the world.

LOL!

"I was for the smoking ban before I was against it"

January 25, 200718 yr

>So by going to war, they now have the right to smoke cigarettes and pollute my body?

Go walk in and tell them that to their face, see how that goes.

>if you smoke in a VFW, then you are violating the law.

Thanks to this nancy-ass law. We sure aren't living anymore in the America that beat back the Krauts.

January 25, 200718 yr

When we find ourselves pussyfooting around the military, then yes, we're not living in a free country anymore.

January 25, 200718 yr

Go walk in and tell them that to their face, see how that goes.

Thanks to this nancy-ass law. We sure aren't living anymore in the America that beat back the Krauts.

Thanks for your constructive comments; they were well received.

VFWs are not above the law. Period. As for this "nancy-ass law" - note it was a democratic process that the majority voted on. I don't see how you could possibly have a problem with that.

January 25, 200718 yr

^well when the newspapers keep circulating stories of "i didn't understand-itis, even though its my duty as joe voter to understand what i'm voting on, but I'll complain anyway", it only helps to fuel the "outrage"

January 25, 200718 yr

^That's one P-O'd 1%.

January 25, 200718 yr

^That's one P-O'd 1%.

Seriously, the media gives a disproportionate amount of coverage to the joe voter who likes to complain, rather than the people who actually voted on the subject and are happy with the results*

*results in progress

January 25, 200718 yr

...like the way they focus on "undecided" voters during the debates. Anyone who was undecided between Kerry and Bush in the fall of 2004 was either not paying attention (in which case why should we give a sh*t what they think?), or was an utter moron (in which case why should we give a sh*t what they think?)...

January 25, 200718 yr

Hey, if you don't want to do the research or at least find out some facts about cigarette smoking or what you want to vote on... that's your issue, not mine.

And it is sad that the very-much minority receive the most attention. Where are the gobs of stories about the successes in the bans? Or how people can dine and not be embedded in smoke?

January 25, 200718 yr

^honestly I wish they would have spent more time actually discussing SHS and its effects, rather than the one size fits all of, "SHS=Instant Cancer Death" (this is the smoker part of me that feels demonized)

(no, i'm not saying SHS doesn't have a link to cancer, though most often it comes in around a ratio of 1.2:1)

January 25, 200718 yr

Northern Kentucky University bans smoking on most of campus

I was frankly surprised that it was not banned indoors (from the article, it would seem that, correct me if I am wrong). Outdoors? That may be stretching, but given that the vast majority do not carry the lightweight and safe cigarette disposal packages with them, where else are they going to flick it?

Here at UK, we have many trashcans that have cigarette disposal holes or bins at the top. Just stash it in there - conveniently located at major hangout spots for smokers. Unfortunately, many of these were near entryways, so everyone had to walk through a wall of smoke. Now that smoking is banned near doorways, these have been moved further out into more remote areas.

At King's Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Kentucky, smoking was banned on the entire campus. Unfortunately, smokers were heading out far from campus, up to one block, to smoke in people's yards and in the alleys, leaving their cigarette butts everywhere. It was so severe that mounds of cigarettes lined near the drainage holes of some alleys. The hospital now has a full-time crew dedicated to sweeping up the butts - and as they stated, it is well worth the extra money to move the smokers off campus. Especially at a hospital.

January 26, 200718 yr

^honestly I wish they would have spent more time actually discussing SHS and its effects, rather than the one size fits all of, "SHS=Instant Cancer Death" (this is the smoker part of me that feels demonized)

(no, i'm not saying SHS doesn't have a link to cancer, though most often it comes in around a ratio of 1.2:1)

Geez. In your case, pope, SHS = Self-Hating Smoker.

January 26, 200718 yr

I cry every time I light up.

February 6, 200718 yr

From the 12/21/06 Sun Courier:

Other locations smoke-free as well

Thursday, December 21, 2006

By Mike Kezdi

The Sun Courier

Although area bars and restaurants have been at the center point of the new statewide no smoking regulations, other businesses, including city governments, must comply.

Many of the businesses already were nonsmoking, but a caveat to the law also requires that there be no smoking near doors, windows or air intakes for buildings. Also included in the ban are vehicles owned by the business for employee use.

From the 12/21/06 Findlay Courier:

What ban? Many customers still lightin' up in local bars

By JOHN GRABER

and MIKE SOBCZYK

STAFF WRITERS

A handful of patrons were enjoying cocktails and cigarettes at Wooley Bulley's around 3 p.m. Wednesday.

It may sound like a no-brainer scenario for a bar setting, but it's technically illegal to smoke in most public establishments since a statewide smoking ban, passed by voters last month, went into effect on Dec. 7.

But many bars, clubs and restaurants soon discovered that the new law has no enforcement provisions -- yet -- and decided to let customers smoke. The Ohio Department of Health will determine the enforcement rules by June 7.

From the 12/21/06 Chillicothe Gazette:

Smoking ban extends to police officers as well

By LOREN GENSON

Gazette Staff Writer

Law enforcement officers are not above the law, said representatives from the Ross County Sheriff's Office and the City of Chillicothe Police Department.

Recently community members have reported seeing members of law enforcement around the county lighting up in company cars on company time, which, according to a measure passed by voters Nov. 7 is no longer legal.

February 6, 200718 yr

From the 12/22/06 Blade:

Smokeless bar won't blame ban for empty tables

By JENNI LAIDMAN

BLADE STAFF WRITER

It's 3:30 p.m., and Andy's Bar and Grill in Perrysburg Township has one employee for every customer.

Of course, there are only two customers.

"I've made 7 cents. I had one table since noon," said Kristy Day, the Northwood woman waiting tables in the four-month-old restaurant/bar.

"It's funny; it's usually hard to find a seat," said Jeff Purvis, who just got out of work at a Toledo Post Office. "But when I walked in, it was just these two [employees] listening to music."

From the 12/22/06 Youngstown Vindicator:

Businesses seem to be complying with law

Being close to the Pennsylvania line could be a double whammy for some.

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

Checks at several businesses along Belmont Avenue found substantial compliance with the intent, if not the letter, of Ohio's new SmokeFree Workplace Act.

The law went into effect Dec. 7 and prohibits indoor smoking in public places. Enforcement rules are being formulated.

A large percentage of places appear to not have the required no-smoking signs at their entrances that contain the toll-free telephone number — (866) 559-6446 — for reporting complaints to the Ohio Department of Health. More information about the law can be found at the toll-free information line at (866) 634-7654.

From the 12/22/06 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette:

No smoking law doesn't apply to post office

By TAMARIA L. KULEMEKA

The Eagle-Gazette Staff

[email protected]

LANCASTER - Not every Ohio employer is mandated to abide by the state's new smoking ban - which went into effect Dec. 7 - and the United States Post Office is one of them.

The post office is a federal employer, so some state rules that apply to other businesses, such as the smoking ban, don't apply to the employer, according Steve Rennick, lead safety specialist at the USPS Columbus district office.

"The state can't come in and enforce their rules in a federal facility," Rennick said. "We have our own no smoking policy for customers and employees and will continue to enforce that."

Kristopher Weiss, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Health, concurred that the state doesn't have jurisdiction over federal facilities.

February 6, 200718 yr

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."

February 6, 200718 yr

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.

February 6, 200718 yr

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.

February 6, 200718 yr

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.

February 6, 200718 yr

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).”

February 6, 200718 yr

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."

February 6, 200718 yr

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.

February 6, 200718 yr

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.

February 6, 200718 yr

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.

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.

February 6, 200718 yr

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.

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.

February 6, 200718 yr

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.

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.

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.

February 6, 200718 yr

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.

February 6, 200718 yr

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.

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.

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.

February 6, 200718 yr

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.

February 6, 200718 yr

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.

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."

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.

February 6, 200718 yr

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.

February 6, 200718 yr

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.

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.

February 6, 200718 yr

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.

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.

February 6, 200718 yr

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.”

February 6, 200718 yr

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.

February 6, 200718 yr

^^Thats absurd!!! KY cigarette tax per pack is only 33cents, compared to Ohio's $1.25. I think it would behoove Ky to look into raising their tax to maybe 50 cents or so. They would still be the cheapest in the region (next closest is 55 cents), but they would come close to doubling the revenue generated from the tax.

February 6, 200718 yr

I just love the article talking about the smoking ban and a spike in suicides.

February 6, 200718 yr

We just increased it not long ago, to the cry of some die-hard smokng advocates.

It needs to be at _least_ 80 cents a pack. Tax the negative externalities and reduce the rate of smoking (...New York?).

February 6, 200718 yr

its the reasons for an increased tobacco tax that bother me.

In Canada, absurdly high taxes to pay for health care related costs.

In Cleveland, moderately high taxes to pay for the Arts and Stadiums.

Where are our priorities cleveland?

February 6, 200718 yr

^^Thats absurd!!! KY cigarette tax per pack is only 33cents, compared to Ohio's $1.25. I think it would behoove Ky to look into raising their tax to maybe 50 cents or so. They would still be the cheapest in the region (next closest is 55 cents), but they would come close to doubling the revenue generated from the tax.

I think Kentucky (as other states) grow enough tobacco that makes tobacco-curbing initiatives a sensitive issue at the state level. You just don't see tobacco producing states eager to pass smoking bans or raise taxes. In fact; I think not more than a year ago - Kentucky just banned smoking from inside state buildings.

February 6, 200718 yr

^I understand that the political clout of tobacco farmers in KY is strong, but increasing the tax on cigarettes from the rock bottom - bottom of the barrel is not a big loss for the farmers imo. They would still be the lowest state tax on cigarettes, in the nation, should they up it to 50 cents from 33 cents. It would just seem to make financial cents :laugh:

February 6, 200718 yr

This was in the Sunday New York Times.

Op-Ed Contributor

Smoke and Rearview Mirrors

By GARY NOLAN

Published: February 4, 2007

Cleveland

ARE we making bad law based on faulty conventional wisdom? It’s happened before and it may happen again.

Connecticut legislators have introduced a bill that would ban smoking in cars when a minor is present. This legislation, the brainchild of 9-year-old Justin Kvadas from East Hartford, is ostensibly being written to protect young children from exposure to the alleged dangers of secondhand smoke.

Don’t get me wrong: I can certainly understand why Justin might feel strongly about the issue — young people have passions. As a child who had allergies, I was offended by people who wore heavy perfume, which set off allergy attacks that made it hard for me to breathe. I commend him and his mother, who helped him in this crusade, for trying to make a difference, especially for infants who have smaller lung capacity and children who suffer from asthma.

But unfortunately laws like these are based on unreliable research. Moreover, this increasing tendency of government to legislate the way we choose to live our lives and raise our children has got to stop. If we’re not careful, children like Justin may eventually be banned from the ice cream parlor or a burger joint because of government concerns over the fat content in food.

Many published reports on secondhand smoke, or what is often called environmental tobacco smoke or passive smoke — including the most recent report from the surgeon general — rely on a study by the United States Environmental Protection Agency that was done in the early 1990s. This study says that secondhand smoke is responsible for as many as 3,000 deaths a year.

But this figure was released before the study was completed and received a great deal of public attention. When the research was concluded, the number of deaths from secondhand smoke could not be determined because a relationship could not be established. Perhaps fearful of appearing to backtrack, the agency adjusted its data, reduced the accepted benchmark for cause and effect and eliminated some studies, before officially releasing the report.

In fact, William Osteen, a federal district court judge in Greensboro, N.C., who has ruled both in favor and against the tobacco industry, vacated this study’s findings, recognizing that it was junk science. He asserted that the agency had “cherry-picked” its data and “adjusted established procedure and scientific norms to validate the agency’s public conclusion.” Although this ruling was overturned on a jurisdictional technicality, the judge’s assessment of the agency’s conduct was never legally challenged.

To be sure, there are other studies supporting the dangers of secondhand smoke, but almost all of them were underwritten by pharmaceutical companies that produce alternative nicotine delivery systems like nicotine patches, gums, inhalers and lozenges. Their conclusions, therefore, have to be regarded with suspicion.

Because of these studies, lawmakers in Connecticut are now debating whether to require police officers to stop adults smoking in their cars if anyone in the vehicle is suspected to be under the age of 18.

But studies aside, spending money to enforce such a law seems absurd when there are rapists, child molesters and murderers out there.

Every day, we become more and more of a nanny nation, telling parents how they should feed and care for their children. This latest legislation, which is also being considered in California and Maine (similar bans were recently enacted in Arkansas, Louisiana and Puerto Rico), is another example of government dictating our personal choices. Legislators are telling us how to live, not just on public property but in private places like restaurants, bars and even our homes.

In some states, custody in divorces is being awarded on the basis of whether or not one of the parents smoke. At least seven states prohibit or restrict smoking around foster children. That means foster children can be removed from otherwise loving families simply because a foster parent smokes.

The reality is that just as a prudent parent would not feed a child allergic to peanuts a peanut butter sandwich, a smoking parent would not smoke around an asthmatic child. Proponents of anti-smoking laws argue that we are obligated to protect asthmatic children from parents who lack the common sense not to smoke around them.

But is the appropriate response to issue a ticket to every smoking driver who appears to have a minor child in his or her car? After all, police officers aren’t stationed at grocery stores citing parents for buying peanut butter if they have a minor with them, on the chance that the child might be allergic to peanuts. Nor are parents stopped from entering a candy store because they might have a diabetic child.

At some point, this all has to stop.

Let us not usurp the rights of parents, abuse private property rights, waste valuable law enforcement resources or hand over our liberty to the state on the basis of faulty conventional wisdom. In the meantime, Connecticut, all eyes are on you.

Gary Nolan, a former nationally syndicated talk-show host, is a spokesman for the Smoker’s Club, a pro-smoking group.

February 6, 200718 yr

gary nolan sounds a lot like joe jackson's tirade: http://www.joejackson.com/smoking.php

February 10, 200718 yr

From the 2/6/07 Warren Tribune Chronicle:

Public to help punish smokers

By BILL RODGERS - Tribune Chronicle

Restaurants, businesses and watering holes that were allowing indoor smoking while the state department of health crafted rules for Ohio’s smoking ban may not be able to bend the rules come spring.

Ohio Department of Health spokesman Kristopher Weiss said the rules that set fine schedules and give the ban its teeth could be in place as early as April. As part of the final approval process, the draft rules were filed with the secretary of state and the Legislative Service Commission last week.

From the (YSU) Jambar, 2/6/07:

Student smokers ignore SmokeFreeOhio

Jeanette DiRubba

Issue date: 2/6/07 Section: pageone

It's a brisk afternoon at Youngstown State University. Walking throughout the campus while trying to stay warm, the familiar essence of cigarette smoke infiltrates the air. Someone is exhaling the evidence, and it's not just innocent breath in the cold air, because a cigarette is spotted in hand.

What happened to the SmokeFreeOhio and the adoption of this policy at YSU? Signs were put up, ashtrays were removed and students were instructed to smoke only on street sidewalks far away from any campus building.

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