by Marc Kovac
Capital Bureau chief
Columbus -- The group that brought a statewide smoking ban to voters two years ago is urging lawmakers to oppose legislation that would undo parts of it.
Smoke Free Ohio is afraid the Legislature will act on Senate Bill 346 during its lame duck session.
"Who would have thought that our historic victory in 2006 would only be the beginning of our fight to keep Ohio smoke free," said John Hoctor, chief government relations officer for the American Cancer Society. "Who would have believed that, three years ago to the day after turning in our first round of petitions, we would be standing together again, this time to protect the law that we all worked so hard to pass."
The legislation is sponsored by Sen. Robert Schuler, a Republican from southwestern Ohio. It has 12 co-sponsors, including Republicans and Democrats.
SB 346 would exempt family-owned businesses, those operating in freestanding buildings, outdoor patios and private clubs.
It would undo bans put into place by the 2006 ballot issue and allow smoking in most restaurants and bars, many offices, bowling alleys and stores and some factories, according to Smoke Free Ohio, which campaigned to place the issue before voters and is a vocal proponent of the ban.
"We ask Ohio lawmakers for their support in keeping this law strong," Hoctor told reporters Nov. 20. "We ask them to give us and the voters of this state what they want and deserve -- the smoke-free public places and workplaces they voted for."
Asked whether the group was prepared to go to the ballot to overturn the proposed legislation if it is enacted, Hoctor replied, "If this passes, we're prepared to do whatever it takes to keep the law and remain a smoke-free state."
The group used the Great American Smokeout Nov. 20 as a backdrop. The national effort takes place annually one week before Thanksgiving and urges smokers to go for 24 hours without lighting up.
There's no clear indication that lawmakers plan to act on the legislation. Senate President Bill Harris (R-Ashland) said his caucus has not taken a position on the bill, nor are there plans to push it through quickly before the end of the year.
"I have not had a lot of requests to me in relationship for the bill to go forward," he said. "I know I've talked to some of our members (who) certainly have concerns (about the ban as it was instituted). By the same token, a lot of our members have concerns, too, about the vote of the people."
Marc Kovac is the Dix Newspapers Capital Bureau chief. E-mail him at mkovac@dixcom.com.