Anti-smoking group fears Ohio health budget cuts

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Anti-tobacco advocates say cuts to the Ohio Department of Health could jeopardize enforcement of the state’s four-year-old ban on smoking in indoor public places.

The $56 billion spending plan currently under consideration in the Ohio Senate eliminated $1 million that the Health Department used last year to follow up on alleged violations of the ban.

The Blade reported today that the proposed state budget would also phase out funding for a state “quit line” that smokers seeking to kick the habit can call for help.

Marianne Farmer, senior policy director for the American Cancer Society, says businesses may have no incentive to follow the law without the threat of fines or penalties.