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Jump Started: Statewide Smoking Ban Gathers Steam
The initiative for a smoke-free Ohio got a big boost in May, when 56% of Columbus voters rejected a proposed amendment to the city's smoking ban. To help ensure the ballot's defeat, Citizens for Smoke Free Columbus spent three times more on the campaign than the Columbus Bar Owners Political Action Committee.

from SmokeFreeOhio.org

The smoke-free coalition's funding included a donation of $35,000 from the American Lung Association to cover campaign mailings, as well as $150,000 from six contributors who gave $25,000 each.

Now the focus is on a statewide ban to extend the protection to every Ohio citizen. After the Columbus ordinance was approved, House Speaker Jon Husted indicated he believes a smoking ban for the state is a foregone conclusion. And many tobacco control organizations are on board, including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, Ohio Division, and the Association of Ohio Health Commissioners.

Volunteers for SmokeFreeOhio.org are collecting signatures to put the issue before Ohio voters in the November 2006 general election. To help, visit the website for updates on the current status of the statewide clean indoor air initiative and to request a signature-gathering kit.

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