Ohio town drops proposed ban on smoking in cars

WASHINGTON C.H., Ohio (AP) — An Ohio community has pulled back on banning smoking in cars when children are passengers.

The city council in Washington Court House gave tentative approval to the proposal on a 4-2 vote July 14. But Wednesday night, the measure was put aside because two council members decided to change their earlier yes votes.

Councilman Ben Roby says he decided to drop his support for the ban because he found more “public interest” in the proposal than he ever expected.

Before the council meeting, about 10 people had a noisy street corner protest against the ban. They held signs with messages including “Say no to more government control” and “What’s next? Your home?”

The plan’s supporters had said their goal was to protect children from secondhand smoke.