Posted on 12/24/2007 6:40:14 AM PST by mmichaels1970
DAYTON, Ohio -- Tens of thousands of complaints about violations of Ohio's new smoking ban -- many from the same few businesses -- have resulted in just hundreds of fines, leading county heath departments to say they plan to step up enforcement of the law.
Fines for violating the ban, which outlaws indoor smoking in most public places, are about to get bigger and more frequent for delinquent business owners, health officials warned. The ban was approved by Ohio voters in November 2006.
Local health departments began enforcing the law on May 3, and have since logged more than 19,000 violations, or about 100 a day, on 7,300 establishments. Of those violations, only about 230 fines were issued, according to Ohio Department of Health data from the first seven months of enforcement.
The law calls for a graduated series of punishments: After an initial warning, a second violation is $100, growing to $2,500 for fifth and subsequent violations. But that could soon change.
In Montgomery County, where almost 1,300 complaints have resulted in only 58 warnings and 10 fines, officials said they've cleared administrative hurdles and are ready to issue big fines.
"It's going to be our strategy to double the second fine," said Alan Pierce, a supervisor of general services at Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County. "So instead of $500, we can go for $1,000."
Private clubs are among the state's worst offenders, according to a Dayton Daily News analysis of the state smoking complaint data. Of the top 10 targets of smoking complaints in the state, eight are private clubs. And members of the Moose and Eagles lodges, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Amvets call in nearly a quarter of all smoking ban violation complaints.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsnet5.com ...
In fact, hubby is working right now (Christmas Eve) keeping the rapid transit running for this area.
Oh so he CAN still smoke cigars, I thought the way you were going on that smoking was totally banned.
Forgot to add Merry Christmas to you too.
Yes, he can smoke cigars, but only at home. :-) I’m not very good with words — short poster here. :-)
A wonderful tavern on one side where cigars could be smoked while watching the Tribe on the big screen, and the other side of the place was a quaint dining room for the tea totteling crowd. There is even a bakery.
The place is just another eatery to me now :( It's no longer a gathering place.
Ohio has one of the strict laws in the country. People were not really sure of what they voted on. The governor (a dem) said that private clubs should be allowed, and that’s what the people thought they were voting on. A local restaurant went to court and a judge in Columbus ruled that the law, as it is written, includes private clubs in the ban. The state has said that it would work to overturn it, but nothing has come of it so far, and it’s been over a year.
Las Vegas has voted a no smoking ordinance. Smoking allowed in the casinos only.
Smoking is allowed in bars in Nevada. I’m not sure if there is a percentage of food dollars involved in that or not though. I’d have to look at the law to see specifically what it is.
I used to love the taverns in Ohio and would brag them up all around the country. No more, the business is on the decline and it’s not the same.
Who wants to hang of watching the game with sanctimonious snobs?
Yeah, right... Complaints. I’m betting it’s more the government wanting more money.
I know I don't. Notice how these same people have not uttered a word about what they have done to the ENTIRE STATE. They don't have the guts (and I don't mean this meanly at all -- you get my point).
Sigh.... Where in the world can I find a friendly place with a name like Boomba’s where I can relax and share a joke and a smoke? Watch the game, shoot some pool, and chow down on a plate of perogies or a bucket full of wings?
It’s the end of a certain chapter in America.
I’m sad to see it go.
Unfortunately, smokers are not recognized by the Socialist Elitists as a "protected Class", like faggots and dykes, cross-dressers, minorities, etc., and are therefore the brunt of political-correctness gone wild, without regard for un-fairness and un-equal treatment. (There's no shortage of Sin Taxes that are applied to smokers to fund new stadiums, etc., though).
When the Fat Tax comes, and the fatass Smoke Nazi's become targeted, we'll see how they appreciate the Nanny State.....
I was in Oh in aug and went to a fantastic tavern that has the best pizza in Oh. They have a nice patio and still allow smoking out there.
Thats where we sat.
Wasnt long before some other folks came out and sat down and gave us the stinkeye for smoking out of doors
Don't you allow him to smoke in his house?
Of course, I allow him to enjoy a cigar at home. The man deserves it. :-) It’s just nice socializing with other adults doing likewise. Hubby has wonderful cherry pipe tobacco that smells so good. Merry Christmas!
You gotta admit, taxing your breath is further than I even imagined they’d go all these years.
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