The smoking vote: If both pass, Issue 4 wins

Publication Date: 2006-10-26

• Author:John Jarvis
• Publication:Marion Star

Mind if I smoke?

A person's answer to that question might indicate how he or she will vote on state issues 4 and 5, ballot questions that will determine whether and where smoking in public is legal in Ohio.

However, for voters who will decide if those issues pass or fail on Nov. 7, it may not seem as simple a matter as responding to the polite tobacco user's inquiry. "Our message is just to understand the ramifications of a smokefree Ohio, the benefits of a smokefree Ohio," said Amy Gorenflo, health educator for the Marion County Health Department, which supports Issue 5.

A recent informal sampling of Marion-area residents by The Marion Star revealed that a number of voters are not familiar with the two smoking-related issues in this election.

"I'm probably going to have to read up on them more," said Jennifer Appelfeller. "I'll do more research to decide what way to go. Anybody can make something sound good or bad."