On November 7, 2006, Ohio voters passed Issue 5 (SmokeFree Ohio), creating a new chapter of the Ohio Revised Code which makes Ohio’s public places and places of employment smoke-free. The new law took effect on December 7, 2006. Rules developed by the Ohio Department of Health went into effect on May 3, 2007. The rules in general:

• Prohibit smoking in public facilities;
• Require all ashtrays and other receptacles used for disposing of smoking materials be removed from areas where smoking is prohibited; and
• Post conspicuous signs in every public place where smoking is prohibited, including at each entrance. The regulation requires these signs to say “No Smoking” or have the “No Smoking” international symbol (consisting of a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a red circle with a red bar across it). The signs must be clearly legible and shall contain the following toll-free number for reporting violations [1-866-559-OHIO (6446)].

Downloadable versions of acceptable signs, with the reporting number, are posted online at the Ohio Department of Health.

The Ohio Department of Health has established toll-free telephone lines, as well as e-mail addresses, to assist the public in reporting violations of the law. Once complaints are received by the Ohio Department of Health, Clermont County Public Health will manage enforcement in Clermont County.

To report a smoking violation, visit www.smokecomplaint.ohio.gov

Toll-free enforcement line: 1-866-559-OHIO (6446), or nosmoke@odh.ohio.gov. This line and e-mail should be used for enforcement related questions, or to report violations.