Private clubs no longer exempt from smoking ban

Publication Date: 2007-05-01

• Author:MATT SUMAN
• Publication:The Morning Journal, OH

Beginning Thursday, enforcement of the statewide smoking ban will begin and lighting up in the wrong place could cost a person or building owner. A new court ruling also means no exemption for private club members, at least for the next few weeks.

Yesterday, the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association won a temporary restraining order against a provision of the new law that would have allowed private club members to smoke at the members-only club, according to The Associated Press. Judge David Cain of Franklin County Court of Common Pleas issued the order yesterday and scheduled a hearing for May 14.

On Thursday, state health department officials plan to begin enforcement of the ban on smoking in public places that voters approved in November. Jay Carey, Ohio Department of Health spokesman, said both individuals and building owners could be fined for violating the ban on smoking in enclosed buildings where the public is invited. The ban was enacted in December, but not enforce until rules were in place.