Ohio's Ballot Issues Including Smoking

Do you ever walk into Columbus Restaurants and ask for a table in the non-smoking section? I have caught myself doing it occasionally....  less as time goes on, but old habits die hard.

PERSPECTIVE: Ballot warriors shift focus with words,

Written by JULIE CARR SMYTH of the Associated Press
as seen in The Mercury News:

"So how does a voter sort out all the conflicting information? As Deep Throat told Woodward and Bernstein: Follow the money.

As for the smoking issues, the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund are the biggest backers of the SmokeFreeOhio campaign that would ban smoking in most public places. The less restrictive Smoke Less Ohio is supported by the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association - which represents bar and tavern owners, carry-outs and liquor store operators - and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, among others."

Months ago the national news focused on the two confusing issues on the Ohio Ballot.  A  Columbus Dispatch editorial  says:

"Ohio voters are bound to be confused by a pair of smoking issues on the Nov. 7 ballot. To clear the air, The Dispatch urges readers to vote yes on State Issue 5 and no on State Issue 4

Issue 4 would allow smoking in restaurants, bars and bowling alleys, where secondhand smoke can sicken workers and patrons. And it would become part of the Ohio Constitution, changeable only by a statewide vote of the people on another constitutional amendment.

Voters need to realize that because Issue 4 is a constitutional amendment, if both issues pass, it will trump Issue 5.

Ohioans who care about their health and the health of others should vote yes on Issue 5 and no on Issue 4."

Five years ago I worked with clients from the west coast who were amazed by how accepted smoking in public still was in Columbus.  They were convinced more people smoke in Central Ohio than Southern California.   Maybe....Since the bans in Columbus and many Central Ohio commnunities I have had people from elsewhere say how nice it is in Columbus that they don't have to worry about smoke wafting over from the smoking section in restaurants....

c. 2006 Columbus Best Blog and Maureen McCabe