Two-thirds of Ohio smoking-ban fines are unpaid

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — State data shows officials have collected only one-third of the $2.2 million in fines levied for facilities that have violated Ohio’s smoking ban since enforcement began four years ago.

An analysis by the Dayton Daily News also found the percentage of fines collected drops each year. It was 81 percent in 2007 but 26 percent last year.

Health officials have issued more than 2,300 fines totaling more than $2.2 million since May 2007. About $1.5 million had not been paid as of April 30.

The newspaper says that’s frustrating local health officials because 90 percent of the collected fines are intended to go toward investigations.

Most places comply with the ban, but some officials argue the holdouts would change their behavior if the state collected the fines more aggressively.