Ohio fixes its flawed smoking chart

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

The Ohio Department of Health has corrected a report on the impact of the statewide smoking ban following questions by a state senator.

Director Theodore Wymsylo says smokers and non-smokers were flipped in a chart showing how frequently they’ve visited bars since the ban took effect in 2007. The graph now shows that 40 percent of current smokers who were surveyed say they visit bars less often, while about 7 percent of non-smokers say they go more often.

Republican Sen. Bill Seitz of Cincinnati and the ban’s opponents have seized on the report, saying it’s flawed and its executive summary omitted certain figures.

The Ohio Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments Oct. 19 in a constitutional challenge to the ban brought by bar and restaurant owners.