Latest news from Ohio:
Court: Private clubs not exempt from smoking ban
Jump to full article: AP, 2008-01-03
Intro:
State health officials erred when they tried to exempt veterans halls and other private clubs from Ohio’s smoking ban, an appeals court ruled.
“The law, which took effect last year following a statewide vote, prohibits smoking in most public places, including restaurants, bars and offices.
The Ohio 10th District Court of Appeals on Monday upheld an earlier court ruling that said the state Health Department didn’t have authority to write rules exempting private clubs. Such a change would need to be adopted by the state Legislature, the ruling said.
The decision was another victory for the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association, a trade group representing Ohio’s bar owners. The group filed a lawsuit last summer, saying the exemption for private clubs was unfair.”
It’s enough to make me wonder where the legally fine line is between private club and party at one’s home.