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 Smoke-Free Indoor Air
Issue 5 passed on November 7th makes Ohio the 15th smoke-free state in the country.
This new law, Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3794, requires public places and workplaces to be smoke-free effective December 7, 2006. The rules are finalized and enforcement begins on May 3, 2007.
While the ODH hopes to have the rules adopted before the June 7 deadline, businesses and organizations are required to comply with the statute starting December 7, 2006.
To report violations call 1-866-559-OHIO (6446)
This line should be used for all enforcement related questions and to report violations after Dec. 7, 2006. This telephone number must appear on No Smoking signs required by Section 3794.06 of the Revised Code.
For general information concerning the law or for non-enforcement related questions call 1-866-ODH (634)-7654 or you can always call the Franklin County Board of Health Hotline at (614) 462-4247
The major requirements of the statute include:
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Prohibiting smoking in any public place or place of employment.
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Posting conspicuous signs in every public place and place of employment where smoking is prohibited, including at each entrance. The statute requires these signs to say “No Smoking” or have the “No Smoking” international symbol (consisting of a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a red circle with a red bar across it). The signs must be clearly legible and shall contain the toll free number for reporting violations. The Ohio Department of Health states that signs using the no smoking symbol must also be printed in color. For non-vehicle applications no smoking signs must be at least 4 x 6 inches. To download a copy of the signage click on the links below:
- Removing all ash trays and other receptacles used for disposing of smoking materials from any area where smoking is prohibited by the statute.
To read a copy of the law click here or click here for indoor smoking ban rules
In response to numerous requests from the public, The Tobacco Public Policy Center at the Capital University Law School has posted information on their website regarding the Smoke-Free Workplace Act.
- The Smoke Free Workplace Act (Summary) Click here
- The Smoke Free Workplace Act (Questions and Answers) Click here
Additional Tobacco Links
- Smoke-Free Law Questions and Answers, click here
- Rules for Statewide Smoke-Free Law Filed Providing Additional Guidance to Employers, click here
- Smoking ban letter to Businesses, click here
- ODH Begins formal rule making process for the indoor smoking ban. A public hearing will be held on February 27th at 10am. Click here for more info.
Please click on the following jurisdictions for more information on each of their smoke-free indoor air ordinances some which will remain in effect until the new rules are in effect:
Columbus, Dublin, Hilliard, Upper Arlington, Westerville, Grandview Heights, Gahanna
Each community has a public hotline where you can report violations or complaints of the clean indoor air ordinances.
| Columbus, call 724-4AIR (4247) |
Bexley, call 235-8694 |
| Dublin, call the Dublin Police at 889-1112 |
Gahanna, call 462-4AIR (4247) |
| Grandview Heights, call 462-4AIR (4247) |
Hilliard, call 462-4AIR (4247) |
| Marble Cliff, call 486-6993 |
New Albany, call the New Albany Division of Police at 855-7547 |
| Upper Arlington, call 462-4AIR (4247) |
Westerville, call the Westerville Police at 882-7444 |
| Worthington, call the Worthington Police at 885-4463 |
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Helpful Links and More Info on Smoke-Free Indoor Air
Quit Smoking Today
Have you thought about quitting smoking? Please click HERE for a Quit Smoking Today brochure which lists numerous cessation services available right here in Franklin County.
For additional information please also visit Smoke-Free Ohio
http://www.smokefreeohio.org
Tobacco-Free Collaborative, Click HERE
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