Don't weaken smoking ban

Publication Date: 2016-03-25

• Author:EDITORIAL
• Publication:Columbus (OH) Dispatch

A bill that proposes to carve out exceptions in the state’s Smoke-Free Workplace Act contradicts the will of Ohioans who voted overwhelming to enact the indoor smoking ban through a 2006 ballot measure...

S.B. 295 would allow smoking in cigar clubs and other private organizations, even if the club is connected to other offices or building, such as in a strip ball or in a downtown. Schiavoni believes this would benefit urban economic development and said his intent is to limit the bill to cigar clubs. But his bill opens a Pandora's box by removing the existing law’s requirement that a club not have employees and be nonprofit to allow smoking...

For a decade, the smoking ban has been sound public-health policy and there is no compelling reason to override voters and effectively nullify this law. Lawmakers should snuff out this bill.