Smoking ban confuses business owners

AUSTINTOWN — There were more questions than answers today at the first of three public meetings aimed at informing business owners and individuals about Ohio’s new Smoke Free Workplace Act.

But if the standing-room-only crowd at the Austintown Township building is any indication, there is plenty of interest in finding out how the new law will affect establishments, ranging from manufacturing facilities, to private clubs, to restaurants, to outdoor sports venues to bars.

The next two meetings, conducted by the Mahoning County, Struthers City and Youngstown City health departments in partnership with the Regional Chamber, are at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Oakhill Renaissance Center, 345 Oakhill Ave., Youngstown; and at 2 p.m. Friday at the Boardman Township building, 8299 Market St., Boardman.

Business owners asked how to enforce the law, when no rules have been developed by the Ohio Department of Health. The ODH has until June 7, 2007, to interpret the act and develop rules to enforce it.

One businesswoman asked how she could monitor smoking by employees and customers in restrooms. “We can’t put in cameras,” she said.

Another wanted to know if she would be held responsible if she tells a customer to not smoke, and he does not comply.

Heather Krause, representing the Mahoning County District Board of Health, suggested keeping a record of the incidents and calling the ODH’s information hotline at (866) 559-6446.