DaytonDailyNews.com

COLUMBUS — If you have any doubt about who is behind State Issue 4, the so-called "common sense smoking ban," consider this: 99.8 percent of its financial support comes from R.J. Reynolds Corp.

The tobacco giant in North Carolina ponied up $5,418,380 of the campaign's $5,429,780 budget through Oct. 18, according to Issue 4 backers.

"R.J. Reynolds has never been concerned about public health or reducing cancer rates," said Tracy Sabetta, spokeswoman for Issue 5. "R.J. Reynolds is only concerned with protecting their bottom line.

Ohio voters should not allow R.J. Reynolds to spend millions of dollars buying a page in our state's constitution."

Issue 5 is a voter-initiated state law that would ban indoor smoking in public places and workplaces statewide.

The American Cancer Society chipped in $1.56 million of its $1.8 million budget through Oct. 18. The rest of the money came from other public health groups and 538 individuals.

Issue 4 is a constitutional amendment that would repeal local smoking bans in 21 Ohio cities and allow bars, restaurants, bingo halls, race tracks and other businesses to set their own smoking policies.

It would prohibit state and local laws regulating smoking in privately owned facilities not open to the public.

If both issues pass, only Issue 4 would take effect since a constitutional amendment trumps state law.

If Issue 4 passes, it could also wipe out existing state laws that prohibit smoking in food preparation and food manufacturing areas, and fireworks manufacturers and retailers as well as underground mines and other high-hazard areas that are not open to the public.

"We are very aware of the potential impact of Issue 4, and we're going to monitor the progress of Issue 4," said Shane Cartmill, spokesman for the state fire marshal.

Jacob Evans, spokesman for Issue 4, said "Business owners would still have the option to ban smoking, and I don't think you're going to find many of those mines, fireworks facilities or anything like that that are going to allow smoking in those establishments."

State law prohibits smoking in food preparation areas because of the finger to mouth contact with smoking and the potential to spread germs. Evans said it's safe to assume state law would continue to ban smoking in food preparation areas.

Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1624 or lbischoff@DaytonDailyNews.com.