While the majority ruled to snuff out smoking in Ohio’s public places, a matter of details has resulted in a somewhat cloudy issue for those charge with enforcing the Ohio smoking ban.
The ban, which took effect last week, is a law prohibiting the act of smoking in public places, such as restaurants. However, since the measure failed to include any sort of rule that gave law enforcement guidance on how to punish violations, the law itself is somewhat toothless.
“The laws did go into effect on Dec. 7 and it’s still in effect,” said Clermont County Health Commissioner Marty Lambert. “The language in the law requires public places to prohibit smoking, remove the ashtrays and post signs, which must have the phone number to report a violation on it.”
However, once it became apparent that nothing could be done, many area businesses have continued to allow smoking until some definitive procedure has been developed to stop the act.