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Ohio House acts to abolish anti-smoking foundation
Foundation had been trying to block state from transferring $230 million to new jobs fund.
> What do you think of the vote to abolish the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation?
Thursday, May 01, 2008
COLUMBUS — The House used its wrecking ball on the foundation that runs Ohio anti-smoking programs and the Senate is expected to finish the demolition next week.
The bipartisan vote Wednesday, April 30, was 84-11 on House Bill 544, which eliminates the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation.
Extras
Abolishing the foundation is aimed at ending the lawsuit it filed.
The suit attempts to block Gov. Ted Strickland and the legislature from liquidating the foundation's $270 million endowment, transferring $230 million to a new state jobs fund and giving the foundation $40 million to cover obligations.
The bill, effective immediately when Strickland signs it, is needed to "allow us to move forward to create high-quality jobs," said Rep. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark, the sponsor. The bill would transfer the foundation's obligations to the state health department.
David Rummel, foundation chairman, said the foundation "is hopeful that the process involved in this legislation will result in what is best for the citizens of Ohio in regard to tobacco control."
The nearly 2 million Ohioans "still affected by this deadly addiction" deserve the foundation's services, he said.
Also Wednesday, the House voted 85-10 to approve legislation that would require approximately 620,000 youngsters to ride in booster seats.
House Bill 320 would impose the requirement on children between ages 4 and 8 who are shorter than 4 feet 9 inches.
Children younger than 4 or who weigh under 40 pounds already must be secured in a federally approved child restraint system.
Periodic growth charts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that the tallest boys and girls typically don't hit 57 inches until a few months past their ninth birthdays.
Rep. Shannon Jones, R-Springboro, said Ohio should join 42 states and Washington, D.C., in enacting the new requirement.
Without it, she said, the children are at "significant risk" of injury or death.
Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1608 or whershey@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By generalsn
May 4, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
Many of us are old enough to remember going to movies a lot before TV was around. As kids, we all went to theaters so smoky you could hardly see the screen LOL. According to all these “studies” none of us should haved lived past 30. The only place smoking was prohibibted was on the wood built streetcars because of the fire hazard.
By generalsn
May 4, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
These groups are getting more arrogant by the day with their “all or nothing” badgering being financed by drug corporations through tax exempt “charities”. They promised that all the businesses would “thrive”. With that in mind, there should be ample opportunities for them to get hired on all the new jobs that they created. They can now reap the fruits of their labor. I wish them all the best of luck in their new endeavors.
By GARY
May 2, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
MJ, I BET YOU THINK EVERYONE SHOULD GET THE SAME PAY REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY DO, IN FACT YOU PROBABLY THINK ALL MONEY SHOULD GO TO THE GOVERNMENT AND BE DOLED OUT TO THE PEOPLE!
GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH!
By me
May 2, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
HEY MJ
GO F**K YOURSELF
By Sam
May 1, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
I would normally try to give a legit response to this article. But people are truely just as stupid as I assumed alot of people are just talking out of there a*s. Smoking is a free choice. Smoking inside around people who dont want it just plain being an a*s. Public buildings EXCEPT bars should be a no no. Because people do have a choice to go where people are smoking and not smoking it should be choice.
By Tim
May 1, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
NOBODY has ever died from 2nd hand smoke. It’s a myth.
By bob watson
May 1, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Both House Bills, 544 and 320 are just this….MORE MONEY for Ted and all his politicians. They get a federal kick back for issue 320 and I want someone to show me the high quality jobs that come from 544. More BS and rhtoric and no changes, except in all their bank accounts. Could Ted and his cabinet get any dirtier? (ie: Mark Dann)
By MJ
May 1, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
No one should ever have to breathe second hand smoke. Smoking should never be allowed in public areas or buildings, or any enclosed area…smokers shouldn’t be allowed to pollute the air others breathe with toxic chemicals.
If anyone thinks funding the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation is expensive, they need to realize how much it will cost to treat smoking related illnesses if tobacco issues aren’t addressed.
By John
May 1, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
This is nothing more than a money grab. Gee, just like the original lawsuit. This money will end up as kick-backs to the state politicians political coffers. They are too cowardly to want to debate common citizens about this. They all need to be removed from office. Why not just give this to your pals in the open instead of putting it under the guise of a jobs bill? Jon Husted, Ted Strickland, and Jay Hottinger are cowards who have done nothing except set Ohio back another 20 years.
By Phyllis K Smith
May 1, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
I think grown adults should be able to
smoke, if they choose to. I am not a
smoker, but my husband and many of my
friends smoke.
Thank You