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 ...
The US Congress was originally a part-time thing - pass a budget & address REALLY big issues, then go home to a REAL job & answer to the people for the things done while in session. The same was true for state legislatures.
I believe the great flaw of our gov’t is this TOO EASY ability to continually amend & expand the laws of our country. Laws are based on morality (they should be, anyway!), & morality has not changed one bit since our country was founded. Murder, rape, theft, fraud, etc. are all exactly the same as they were 200+ years ago.
Sadly, “of the people, by the people, & for the people” is now “of the lawyers, by the lawyers, & for the lawyers”.
The result of all this over-legislating is a growing apathy to the law.
Thanks for the link now I know where to spend my hard earned money.
— have resulted in just hundreds of fines, leading county heath departments to say they plan to step up enforcement of the law.
Yep, it’s about health (sarc).
Ignore her-she’s one of the enemy as described in post 35. Sarcastic pond scum who’d take socialism here with a smile.
Where is the list of complaintants? No public admission, no complaint
Yes-maybe he could smoke cigars in his own home.... Like these elderly people. I can’t have a Merry Christmas any more due to stuff like this. Welcome to der new amerika.
And the effectiveness of hysteria combined with media cooperation.
As soon as the NEA got control of government education.
Hate to tell you this, but there's no place left to go, unless you expatriate.
I have looked.
I have never read finer, more succinct prose.
Thank you.
We're still fighting the good fight, and winning, in Virginia!
Merry Christmas!
Dear Ditter.
Your attempt at passive-aggressive but nonetheless rabid anti-smoking advocacy has been detected.
That would be Mr. elkfersupper.
A healthy and prosperous New Year to you (just don't vote).
Go Fred Go!
Are you still on the Ron Paul blim...... sorry.... bandwagon?
Thanks for the ping!
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