Ohio taxpayers have paid more than $2 million to rid bars, restaurants and workplaces of tobacco smoke since the statewide smoking ban took effect in 2007, a sum that opponents say could be better used elsewhere.
The state has spent $3.2 million so far to identify businesses that are violating the smoking ban, to look for infractions and to process them through the court system, according to information released by the Ohio Department of Health to state Sen. Bill Seitz, a critic of the smoking ban.
Health authorities have issued $1.2 million in fines and collected about $400,000, the health department said.
Critics of the smoking ban, which was approved by 58 percent of Ohio voters in 2006, point to the data as evidence that taxpayers are putting a lot of money toward patchy enforcement of the smoking law while violators shirk their fines.
"Even if they collected every single dime of every fine they've issued, they've still spent more than $2 million," said Pam Parker, owner of a Grove City saloon and a regional director of the Buckeye Liquor Permit Holders Association.
Backers of the smoking ban take the opposite view. They say $2 million over nearly three years is a modest sum to reduce smoking rates in Ohio and protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke. Since the ban took effect, Ohio's adult smoking rate dipped from 22.5 percent to 20.2 percent, according to the Ohio Department of Health, although the trend might not be attributable to the no-smoking law alone.
The state Health Department says smoking-related health costs in Ohio come to about $4.37 billion a year, including $1.4 billion to Medicaid, the federal-state health-care program for the poor and disabled.
"I don't think this has been an unreasonable cost for enforcement," said Mandy Burkett, chief of the indoor environment section at the Ohio Department of Health. "I think the costs will be recouped by savings in other areas, particularly health-care costs."
Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican and a smoker himself, said every dollar spent to look for smokers or ashtrays is money that could b used to pay for education, health care or other good causes.
"It's a matter of priorities," Seitz said. "We are in unprecedented times."
He said bars should be able to purchase "smoking licenses" - similar to a liquor permit and costing a few thousand dollars - that would exempt the businesses from the ban. Money from the licenses then could be used to enforce the smoking law at businesses that aren't exempt.
Seitz's idea may face the same fate as other proposals to weaken the statewide smoking ban. Attempts to exempt certain businesses, such as fraternal organizations and family-owned bars, have fizzled in the legislature. Public-health advocates regularly trot out polls showing strong public support for the ban.
Seitz's "smoking license" idea isn't the only route by which certain businesses might be able to exempt themselves from the ban. Zeno's, a Columbus bar that the state sued in August for repeatedly violating the ban, is challenging the constitutionality of applying the law to bars that are restricted to people 21 years or older.
"It might be perfectly constitutional to bar smoking in certain buildings or sports stadiums or family restaurants, but here you have a business that's only 21 and up and that has a bar that's big enough where someone can sit on one side of the bar and not bother someone on the other side of the bar," said Maurice Thompson, the attorney for Zeno's.
Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David Cain has not ruled on the case.
In Franklin County, the number of investigations into suspected violations has ebbed since authorities began enforcing the statewide ban in May 2007. (Many Franklin County jurisdictions, including Columbus, had local no-smoking laws that predated the statewide ban.)
The Franklin County Board of Health investigated 273 cases in 2007, 200 in 2008 and 163 in 2009, according to records. More than half of the cases were dismissed each year.
The health departments in Franklin and Delaware counties, which receive 90 percent of fine revenue for cases they investigate plus a flat rate from the state Health Department, say the ban hasn't been a big financial burden.
"We haven't had to add staff to get the investigations done," said Stephanie DeGenaro, the head tobacco enforcer for the Delaware General Health District.
Feb 22, 2010
Feb 16, 2010
$20,000 Cigarette Theft Caught On Tape
Olive Branch Police are looking for 3 men who stole $20,000 worth of cigarettes from a tobacco store.
The trio was caught on surveillance video putting cartons of cigarrettes into a large sack.
Police are trying to determine if they are also responsible for a similar break-in at a store in Memphis
.(Olive Branch, MS-2/11/10) A bold break-in caught on tape in Olive Branch, Mississippi.
Police are asking for your help identifying three tobacco thieves who made off with tens of thousands of dollars worth of cigarettes from the Kwik Stop Tobacco & Beer in the 7700 block of Hacks Cross Road.
The crooks, who were all wearing dark clothing and a hood or cap, knew exactly what they were looking for.
They went straight for the cartons of cigarettes and dumped them into a large sack they brought with them.
It took them less than 3 minutes to get in and out of the store and steal nearly $20,000 worth of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
"It looked like an organized type crime they had thought out and we believe these individuals will strike again if they are not caught," said Major Tim Presley.
Olive Branch Police are trying to determine if the trio might be the same thieves who stole $8,000 worth of cigarettes and lottery tickets from the Amaco Station on south 3rd in Memphis a couple of weeks ago.
In that case surveillance cameras captured the men trying to cash in the stolen tickets.
"There were 3 individuals in that crime. We are trying to see if related," said Presley.
They're hoping someone will recognize them thieves from surveillance video.
As the crooks enter and exit the Kwik Stop Tobacco & Beer, you can clearly see their faces.
One of the men is also wearing a dark colored jacket with a cross on the front and the word indigo on the back and another has large patches on the back of his jeans.
"When somebody knows somebody and when they are individuals they are acquainted with/ they may recognize these individuals pretty quickly," said Presley.
Police say it's likely the thieves will try to sell the cigarettes at a discounted price to another store.
If you know anything you are urged to call Desoto County Crime Stoppers at 662-429-TIPS.
You can also text a crime tip anonymously to 274637. Just make sure to type in OBPD at the beginning of your message.
The trio was caught on surveillance video putting cartons of cigarrettes into a large sack.
Police are trying to determine if they are also responsible for a similar break-in at a store in Memphis
.(Olive Branch, MS-2/11/10) A bold break-in caught on tape in Olive Branch, Mississippi.
Police are asking for your help identifying three tobacco thieves who made off with tens of thousands of dollars worth of cigarettes from the Kwik Stop Tobacco & Beer in the 7700 block of Hacks Cross Road.
The crooks, who were all wearing dark clothing and a hood or cap, knew exactly what they were looking for.
They went straight for the cartons of cigarettes and dumped them into a large sack they brought with them.
It took them less than 3 minutes to get in and out of the store and steal nearly $20,000 worth of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
"It looked like an organized type crime they had thought out and we believe these individuals will strike again if they are not caught," said Major Tim Presley.
Olive Branch Police are trying to determine if the trio might be the same thieves who stole $8,000 worth of cigarettes and lottery tickets from the Amaco Station on south 3rd in Memphis a couple of weeks ago.
In that case surveillance cameras captured the men trying to cash in the stolen tickets.
"There were 3 individuals in that crime. We are trying to see if related," said Presley.
They're hoping someone will recognize them thieves from surveillance video.
As the crooks enter and exit the Kwik Stop Tobacco & Beer, you can clearly see their faces.
One of the men is also wearing a dark colored jacket with a cross on the front and the word indigo on the back and another has large patches on the back of his jeans.
"When somebody knows somebody and when they are individuals they are acquainted with/ they may recognize these individuals pretty quickly," said Presley.
Police say it's likely the thieves will try to sell the cigarettes at a discounted price to another store.
If you know anything you are urged to call Desoto County Crime Stoppers at 662-429-TIPS.
You can also text a crime tip anonymously to 274637. Just make sure to type in OBPD at the beginning of your message.
Feb 8, 2010
Focus on sustainable industry and commerce
I am constantly perplexed why our local politicians spend so much effort being a “Friend of Coal.” It seems to me that it’s very much like being a “Friend of Tobacco.” Tobacco has been a great industry since the mid 1600’s.
People made a lot of money working in the tobacco industry. People became addicted to its’ use, while dependent on its’ associated jobs. That was great for business.
Then, 350 years later, the day came when we found out it wasn’t so good for us after all. People got sick and started to die from clinging to the habits of old. Our health care system was caught in the aftermath of public subsidized medical expenses.
The Marlboro man quickly drove his cattle out of Dodge City to Europe, where he has been very successful at selling his poison to any one who has two fingers and a pair of lips. And low and behold, the tobacco-backed city, left behind, turned into a dust bowl, leaving vacant houses and no jobs.
When the end was in sight for tobacco, U.S. politicians were suddenly no longer “Friends of Tobacco.” They moved their alliances and efforts to support other sustainable industries for their voters, things like technology empowered by transportation and communication infrastructure. The word “commerce” became synonymous with words like “e-commerce.”
But some old dinosaurs die hard. A few state politicians lobbied hard to financially support the poor tobacco farmer whose industry was under attack by an unsuspecting assailant, the Surgeon General. They convinced the state of Maryland to pay farmers NOT to plant tobacco on a yearly basis?
And those poor helpless farmers ... they took that money to the bank, leaving their empty and idle farm fields to wither year over year. After all, why should they work so hard when the state of Maryland is subsidizing their paycheck?
But the money finally ran out on the great tobacco buyout of the late 1900s. Maryland could no longer afford to pay farmers not to farm. And guess what happened next? The tobacco farmers of yesterday did what any enterprising person would do under the circumstances ... they changed the way they made a living.
I see a parallel between the coal industry and the tobacco industry. They have a strong lobby group who works real hard at keeping our good neighbors addicted to their “not so” high paying jobs.
Their byproducts are bad for our health, the health of their workers, and the environment. They expect subsidies and buyouts like the Coal Tax Credit to artificially support their failing business model.
And when the coal runs out, and it will, Mr. Peabody’s coal train will pull up its tracks as it heads back to Pennsylvania or wherever it came from, leaving Western Maryland with nothing but bad water and a far lagging economy behind.
Here is my challenge to Sen. Edwards and Delegate Beitzel: Think and plan beyond your elected term in office. You are paid to be smart, and not to do what everyone before you has already done just because it is the legacy of the past.
What will you do to pave the way for sustainable future for western Maryland? One thing is for sure, attracting young workers to a dying coal industry is no different than inviting the Marlboro Man to show up for career day at the local high school!
People made a lot of money working in the tobacco industry. People became addicted to its’ use, while dependent on its’ associated jobs. That was great for business.
Then, 350 years later, the day came when we found out it wasn’t so good for us after all. People got sick and started to die from clinging to the habits of old. Our health care system was caught in the aftermath of public subsidized medical expenses.
The Marlboro man quickly drove his cattle out of Dodge City to Europe, where he has been very successful at selling his poison to any one who has two fingers and a pair of lips. And low and behold, the tobacco-backed city, left behind, turned into a dust bowl, leaving vacant houses and no jobs.
When the end was in sight for tobacco, U.S. politicians were suddenly no longer “Friends of Tobacco.” They moved their alliances and efforts to support other sustainable industries for their voters, things like technology empowered by transportation and communication infrastructure. The word “commerce” became synonymous with words like “e-commerce.”
But some old dinosaurs die hard. A few state politicians lobbied hard to financially support the poor tobacco farmer whose industry was under attack by an unsuspecting assailant, the Surgeon General. They convinced the state of Maryland to pay farmers NOT to plant tobacco on a yearly basis?
And those poor helpless farmers ... they took that money to the bank, leaving their empty and idle farm fields to wither year over year. After all, why should they work so hard when the state of Maryland is subsidizing their paycheck?
But the money finally ran out on the great tobacco buyout of the late 1900s. Maryland could no longer afford to pay farmers not to farm. And guess what happened next? The tobacco farmers of yesterday did what any enterprising person would do under the circumstances ... they changed the way they made a living.
I see a parallel between the coal industry and the tobacco industry. They have a strong lobby group who works real hard at keeping our good neighbors addicted to their “not so” high paying jobs.
Their byproducts are bad for our health, the health of their workers, and the environment. They expect subsidies and buyouts like the Coal Tax Credit to artificially support their failing business model.
And when the coal runs out, and it will, Mr. Peabody’s coal train will pull up its tracks as it heads back to Pennsylvania or wherever it came from, leaving Western Maryland with nothing but bad water and a far lagging economy behind.
Here is my challenge to Sen. Edwards and Delegate Beitzel: Think and plan beyond your elected term in office. You are paid to be smart, and not to do what everyone before you has already done just because it is the legacy of the past.
What will you do to pave the way for sustainable future for western Maryland? One thing is for sure, attracting young workers to a dying coal industry is no different than inviting the Marlboro Man to show up for career day at the local high school!
Feb 4, 2010
Cigarettes, Alcohol Stolen In Pelham Store Robbery
Cigarettes and alcohol were stolen from a store in Pelham on Friday morning, police said.
Police said the front door of the State Line Market on Bridge Street was smashed, and someone stole a large quantity of cigarettes and alcohol.
This was the fifth store burglary in Pelham in the past six months. Police said it was similar to a burglary earlier in January at the New Hampshire Liquor Store on Bridge Street.
Police said all the burglaries are under investigation.
Police said the front door of the State Line Market on Bridge Street was smashed, and someone stole a large quantity of cigarettes and alcohol.
This was the fifth store burglary in Pelham in the past six months. Police said it was similar to a burglary earlier in January at the New Hampshire Liquor Store on Bridge Street.
Police said all the burglaries are under investigation.
Feb 1, 2010
Puffers fuming over planned ban
Sure, it may be legal, healthy, even inevitable, but to many smokers in South Boston’s Old Colony development, a ban on cigarettes is positively un-American.
“It’s against your rights,” said resident Wayne Pemberton, 58, as he puffed on a Marlboro at the entrance of his building. “I’ve been smoking for a long time and lived here too long. This is America. If I can’t smoke in my house, it’s wrong. This is a free world, I thought.”
The Boston Housing Authority plans to open more than 100 smoke-free public housing units in a rebuilt section of Old Colony slated for completion in 2012, in keeping with a vow by Mayor Thomas M. Menino to have entirely smoke-free public housing by 2014.
But Southie smokers have a message for the mayor: You can pry those cigarettes out of our cold, dead hands.
“I try to quit somewhat for my health,” Matthew Tilton, 21, told the Herald, leaning out of his building’s window after stubbing out a Newport. “But if they force it to, ‘If you’re gonna smoke, you can’t live here,’ then that’s not right.”
Yet, not all smokers were feeling the hate. Some ruefully embrace the ban.
“I’d go for a new unit,” said Veronica Szwanke, 27, of Old Colony where, she said, people chain-smoke in the hallways. “I’d quit if I had to,” the Newport smoker said.
Five-year resident and 13-year smoker Benito Diaz, 56, said he’d welcome the ban, too - for safety and olfactory reasons.
“Some people, they could smoke and fall asleep with the cigarette or something,” Diaz said. “It’s bad, and I don’t like the smell.”
But those concerns mean nothing to those defending what they regard as a fundamental right.
“They’re taking our freedom,” Tilton said. “You should be able to smoke in the house. If I’m paying an arm and a leg (for rent), I expect to smoke.”
“It’s against your rights,” said resident Wayne Pemberton, 58, as he puffed on a Marlboro at the entrance of his building. “I’ve been smoking for a long time and lived here too long. This is America. If I can’t smoke in my house, it’s wrong. This is a free world, I thought.”
The Boston Housing Authority plans to open more than 100 smoke-free public housing units in a rebuilt section of Old Colony slated for completion in 2012, in keeping with a vow by Mayor Thomas M. Menino to have entirely smoke-free public housing by 2014.
But Southie smokers have a message for the mayor: You can pry those cigarettes out of our cold, dead hands.
“I try to quit somewhat for my health,” Matthew Tilton, 21, told the Herald, leaning out of his building’s window after stubbing out a Newport. “But if they force it to, ‘If you’re gonna smoke, you can’t live here,’ then that’s not right.”
Yet, not all smokers were feeling the hate. Some ruefully embrace the ban.
“I’d go for a new unit,” said Veronica Szwanke, 27, of Old Colony where, she said, people chain-smoke in the hallways. “I’d quit if I had to,” the Newport smoker said.
Five-year resident and 13-year smoker Benito Diaz, 56, said he’d welcome the ban, too - for safety and olfactory reasons.
“Some people, they could smoke and fall asleep with the cigarette or something,” Diaz said. “It’s bad, and I don’t like the smell.”
But those concerns mean nothing to those defending what they regard as a fundamental right.
“They’re taking our freedom,” Tilton said. “You should be able to smoke in the house. If I’m paying an arm and a leg (for rent), I expect to smoke.”
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