Whaddaya gonna do, arrest me for smoking? Yes Sharon, we will arrest you for smoking if you live in Ohio.
The nonstop articles and on-line comments about the Ohio smoking ban, the effects on Ohio bars and restaurants and the supposed mass exodus by smokers to northern Kentucky finally came down to this. Donn Kerr, a 56 year-old Marietta, Ohio man, was arrested for smoking within a week of the new Ohio smoking ban.
Kerr lit up at the Marietta Brewing Company, was asked to extinguish the butt, refused, and the police were called to remove him from the bar. Kerr explains “we’d been smoking in other places and no one seemed to be enforcing this new law.” The presumably long night of smoking and drinking may have had a hand in the first Ohio smoking ban related arrest, as Kerr said he “doesn’t remember” being asked to leave. Oops!
All of the on-line catcalling, the “guest” writers from both sides of the battle and the general glee that the Cincinnati Enquirer seems to be taking in promulgating and drawing out the fight for and against the Ohio smoking ban seems to be out of hand. And moot. Anti-smoking laws have been passed in several states and right or wrong, none of them have been repealed.
Northern Kentucky lawmakers will be closely watching the Ohio smoking ban fallout.
Elsmere tried to pass a smoking ban a couple of years ago, and it failed miserably. Northern Kentucky doesn’t want to be known as the smoker’s haven, yet the boost in business at bars and restaurants can’t be denied-or ignored- for this booming area of the tri-state. Campbell County’s been trying to get some groundswell pumping for a while to enforce a local smoking ban, but it hasn’t had much oomph so far. And unless Boone and Kenton counties get on board, it’s going to be a really hard sell.
Say what you will about the Ohio smoking ban; it’s not going to go away.
Non-smokers, rejoice in a smoke-free atmosphere while you enjoy the Paul Otten band or Bob Cushing on the north side of the river. Smokers, bring a heavy coat and muffler to your favorite Ohio bar. You’ll be taking many trips outside.
Kerr lit up at the Marietta Brewing Company, was asked to extinguish the butt, refused, and the police were called to remove him from the bar. Kerr explains “we’d been smoking in other places and no one seemed to be enforcing this new law.” The presumably long night of smoking and drinking may have had a hand in the first Ohio smoking ban related arrest, as Kerr said he “doesn’t remember” being asked to leave. Oops!
All of the on-line catcalling, the “guest” writers from both sides of the battle and the general glee that the Cincinnati Enquirer seems to be taking in promulgating and drawing out the fight for and against the Ohio smoking ban seems to be out of hand. And moot. Anti-smoking laws have been passed in several states and right or wrong, none of them have been repealed.
Northern Kentucky lawmakers will be closely watching the Ohio smoking ban fallout.
Elsmere tried to pass a smoking ban a couple of years ago, and it failed miserably. Northern Kentucky doesn’t want to be known as the smoker’s haven, yet the boost in business at bars and restaurants can’t be denied-or ignored- for this booming area of the tri-state. Campbell County’s been trying to get some groundswell pumping for a while to enforce a local smoking ban, but it hasn’t had much oomph so far. And unless Boone and Kenton counties get on board, it’s going to be a really hard sell.
Say what you will about the Ohio smoking ban; it’s not going to go away.
Non-smokers, rejoice in a smoke-free atmosphere while you enjoy the Paul Otten band or Bob Cushing on the north side of the river. Smokers, bring a heavy coat and muffler to your favorite Ohio bar. You’ll be taking many trips outside.
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