The Straight Story (1000+ posts) Mon Dec-29-08 03:53 PM
Original message
Smoking ban proves difficult to enforce
Few complaints result in fine or citation
...
(Ohio) It ranks at the top when it comes to people complaining about smoking violations since Ohio began enforcing the ban 18 months ago.
With 208 complaints filed against it - primarily by its own members - the lodge has been ticketed twice. One of them was for a fine of $500. Both tickets are under appeal.
"We were getting a bad rap," Van Winkle said. "We have close to 10,000 members in and out of the facility in any given week. So we are going to get a lot of hits."
At a time when places like the Moose Lodge feel picked on, statistics provided by the Ohio Department of Health hint at problems with enforcing the ban.
According to the data, 60 percent of complaints between May of last year and Dec. 15 were investigated by county health departments or the state; 5 percent of those resulted in citations and fines. About 40 percent of complaints went uninvestigated.
...
Staffing isn't the only issue, said Daniel Collins, director for environmental health in Warren County. The way the system is set up, it could be days before inspectors get to the complaints, making them often impossible to verify.
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081229/NEWS01/8122...
aquart (1000+ posts) Mon Dec-29-08 04:05 PM
Response to Original message
1. Well, if they're determined NOT to enforce it, there you are.
But smoking bans always begin with massive violations as people confuse cigarettes with their dicks.
However, since decreased smoking benefits blood vessels, the dick improvements soon outweigh the skinny little cigarettes.
It just takes time. Rome wasn't de-limped in a day.
Mari333 (1000+ posts) Mon Dec-29-08 04:08 PM
Response to Original message
2. from the article
'"For us to collect a $100 fine, we have to spend $500 to $600 of the taxpayer's money," he said.
As of December, Warren County has responded to 233 complaints. But no one has received a fine.
About 80 percent of complaints aren't legitimate, Collins said. People try to turn businesses in for smokers who are legally puffing outside or on a patio.'
jesus. what a waste of tax money.
Fumesucker (1000+ posts) Mon Dec-29-08 06:03 PM
Response to Reply #2
18. Simple solution..
Raise the fine to $1000..
Still cheaper than going to jail just for having pot in your possession.
IanDB1 (1000+ posts) Mon Dec-29-08 04:23 PM
Response to Original message
3. This is easy. You just rig smoke detectors to sprinkler systems filled with kerosene.
Kalyke (1000+ posts) Mon Dec-29-08 04:25 PM
Response to Original message
4. I know! How 'bout we just let business owners decide if they want to allow smoking!
If they don't, non-smokers can go to those establishments - those who do allow it will be packed with those who either smoke or want to be with their smoking friends.
drm604 (1000+ posts) Mon Dec-29-08 04:49 PM
Response to Reply #4
7. What about the employees of those establisments who don't want to choke on secondhand smoke all day?
Before you say it, no they can't just work elsewhere, jobs aren't always that easy to find.
Kalyke (1000+ posts) Mon Dec-29-08 05:01 PM
Response to Reply #7
9. You don't know too many restaurant service workers do you?
I'd venture that 75 percent of them smoke.
The other 25 percent can go work at the non-smoking establishments.
Jobs in the service industry are still relatively easy to find due to turn-over.
aquart (1000+ posts) Mon Dec-29-08 04:05 PM
Response to Original message
1. Well, if they're determined NOT to enforce it, there you are.
But smoking bans always begin with massive violations as people confuse cigarettes with their dicks.
However, since decreased smoking benefits blood vessels, the dick improvements soon outweigh the skinny little cigarettes.
It just takes time. Rome wasn't de-limped in a day