Tobacco.org

Businesses hit with spate of phony smoking ban violation complaints 

When the statewide smoking ban took effect July 5, the state Department of Public Health set up a hot line, (800) NO SMOKE, and a website that allowed tipsters to alert it to bars, restaurants and workplaces turning a blind eye to smokers. The department then sends a letter to the establishment and the local law enforcement agency informing them of the complaint.

However, the tips are virtually anonymous, and plenty of phony complaints were registered in the first week of the ban -- more than 70 in Green Bay alone, said Connie Olson, executive director of Community Action for Healthy Living, an organization that promotes smoke-free lifestyles.

Olson said she realized the flaw when she noticed complaints about bars that had been smoke-free for six months. . ..

"Some people would complain four or five times against the same venue, but some of those businesses weren't even open."

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