Today, in the building where I work, the security guards went around with a Polaroid camera taking pictures of people smoking in the underground and ventilated parking garage. NAZIs.
Smoking Ban Enforcement On Hold
State will send letters reminding businesses that law is in effect.
Ohio) - The Ohio Department of Health got more that 2,600 calls to its smoking ban tip line on Thursday, the first day of the statewide ban. But there were messages to callers Thursday night that the voice mailbox was full.
However, there's no real enforcement yet. That has to wait until the department develops the guidelines and penalty statutes. That could take until the spring.
Meanwhile, attorneys representing a trade group that filed a lawsuit trying to block Ohio’s new smoking ban agreed to put their lawsuit on hold Thursday. The group agreed to that, in exchange for assurance that the state would not send any warning letters or issue fines before the law's rules are in place.
As of Thursday night, there were numerous reports of bars and other locations allowing smoking because the lawsuit had been filed. But spokesman Kris Weiss says the Ohio Health Department will send letters to alleged violators informing them that complaints have been made against them.
The smoking ban that went into effect Thursday was approved November 7 by 58% of Ohio voters. The state has until June 7 to complete the law's rules and regulations but hopes to have them in place in may.
The lawsuit filed Thursday by the Buckeye Liquor Permit Holders Association will remain on hold while the state works out the rules.
The group's attorney says it can still challenge the law later.
The Health Department says that despite the lack of enforcement, buildings and businesses are expected to comply.
AS far as state officials not handing out citations? BS!!!! I am a part time bartender at a bar in SE Ohio. We got our warning letter and we had to attend a smoking siminar ( i am not a smoker). The woman who hands out the citations told us that there was 4 bars in the town that were about to get hefty fines because they are blatantly allowing smokers in their establishment. One is even selling ashtrays!!!.
Like I said I am not a smoker but the ban is hurting some businesses.