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Smoking Ban Proving Costly for Ohio Counties

By Peter Ambrose

Smoking Ban Proving Costly for Ohio Counties

June 18, 2010 Updated Apr 28, 2008 at 6:00 AM EDT

TOLEDO (AP) - County health departments are running up steep
bills in their efforts to stamp out smoke across Ohio.

A year after the state's workplace smoking ban went into effect, some county health departments have found enforcement to be too
costly. At least a dozen local entities have turned over inspection and violation duties to the Ohio Department of Health.

The Toledo-Lucas County health department alone has spent $40,000 hunting down violators, while banking just $630 in fines. Costs stem from overtime, mileage and other added expenses.

Ohio Health Department spokesman Kristopher Weiss says the state
is working with local departments to make the process more efficient and less costly.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)



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