Spotted: H.S. football Week 2
Ohio Players at Fraze
YBS: Oakwood vs. Wyoming
State ready to show teeth behind its ban on smoking
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Starting today, the days of smoky bars, restaurants and other public or work places should be over in Ohio — the key word being "should."
After nearly six months of crafting rules related to the state's new smoking ban at indoor public places and places of employment, local health departments are required to start enforcing the law and levying fines.
Extras
"We fully expect most establishments to be in compliance," said Sara Pappa, director of health education and development for the Greene County Combined Health District.
County health inspectors across the state will investigate complaints registered with the Ohio Department of Health. Some counties, such as Montgomery, also will check for compliance while on routine health inspections.
While the law has been on the books since Dec. 7, thousands in Ohio have ignored the law since then because the enforcement mechanisms weren't yet in place, according to Ohio Department of Health records.
Of nearly 18,000 complaints, 791 stemmed from Montgomery County.
The top alleged violators: Linden Avenue Bingo and Valley Street Bingo halls, with 28 complaints each, and Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers, 1060 Patterson Road, with 21 complaints.
The bingo halls couldn't be reached for comment. As for Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers, general manager Christine Nash said the bar and grill initially complied with the law, then permitted smoking after 3 p.m. because neighboring competitors were allowing smoking and taking away their customers.
Nash said most of the 21 complaints came from the same customer or family, and the restaurant started complying with the law again on Feb. 1.
"Our sales are lagging from last year quite a bit — the bar crowd thinned out, they don't stay as late," Nash said.
Alleged violators will receive letters from the state reminding them to prohibit smoking, remove ashtrays and post no-smoking signs with the toll-free enforcement number, (866) 559-6446 (OHIO).
Subsequent violations confirmed by health departments carry a price: For businesses, fines of $100, $500, $1,000 and $2,500; for individuals, fines of $100 per violation.
Nash hopes the fines put an end to unfair competition.
"I imagine sometime soon, (customers will) be coming back because everyone will have to enforce (the law)," she said.
