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Ohio Voters Misled When They Voted for Smoking Ban; Ohio Senator Introduces Common Sense Bill 

On Nov. 7, 2006, Ohio voters passed Issue 5, Ohio's smoking ban, which included exemptions for private clubs and family-owned businesses. Over a year later, no private clubs are exempt and no family-owned businesses are exempt as far as we know. Ohio citizens have serious concerns about Issue 5 and an apparent concerted effort by special-interests to mislead Ohio voters. . . .

Explanation and Argument for Issue 5 -- Surgeon General Carmona's Report: Those who could access the Secretary of State's website saw five bullet items in the Explanation and Argument for Issue 5 from the U.S. Surgeon General's Report. After the five bullet items, it then summarized "For these reasons...urge a YES vote on Issue 5." The fact is Issue 5 was based solely on Surgeon General Carmona's report. Issue 5 petition language was certified April 2005. The Surgeon General's Report wasn't issued until June 2006. FORCES, Inc., a non-profit educational corporation dedicated to scientific research integrity, has filed a complaint with the Health and Human Services, Office of Research Integrity against Surgeon General Carmona's report. . . .

Although Opponents of Ohio Bans believes that all private business owners should be allowed to make their own policies on smoking, several Ohio Senators have seen the devastating damage to family-owned businesses and private clubs and agree that at least they should be spared from this all too restrictive law. Senator Robert Schuler-R has introduced SB 346 to again exempt private clubs and family-owned businesses, as the law passed in November, 2006 stated by clearly defining "family-owned business." The bill is co-sponsored by 12 other senators.

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