Enforcement of the statewide smoking ban has cost the county approximately $2,650 since May, said Champaign County Health Commissioner Shelia Hiddleson at Wednesday's meeting of the Champaign County Board of Health.
"We're in the hole a little over $1,000 from the program," said Environmental Health Director Jeff Webb, noting the state provided a one-time outlay of $1,647 when the ban was adopted.
Board member Wilbur Hild Jr. said he has spoken with Craig Kauffman, director of environmental health in Logan County, about the Logan County health district's decision to end enforcement earlier this month.
"He said it's costing too much money and taking too much time," Hild said. "It ended up being an impossible challenge. Private clubs wouldn't let him in and said he had to get a warrant."
Hiddleson said most businesses and clubs investigated by the local health district have been compliant.
"We've only had one locale that has been a continuing problem, and we've sent them a warning letter," she said.
No fines have been issued to date, even though more than 35 complaints have been investigated since May in Champaign County.
"I have a real problem with Smoke-Free Ohio, even though I voted for it," said board member John Atkins. "I assumed we'd break even."
Hild and Atkins said they were both concerned about the potential threat to health district employees responsible for investigating complaints.
"I agree that smoking is a health hazard, but I don't agree that the health department staff should be law enforcement," Hild said. "Sooner or later there's going to be a confrontation and someone is going to get hurt."
To adhere to the statute that went into effect Dec. 7, 2006, businesses and other designated "public places" had to prohibit smoking, post signs at entrances and conspicuously throughout buildings and remove ashtrays and other tobacco receptacles, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
"This is one of those unfunded mandates that so many health districts are saddled with, just like nuisance inspections and animal bites," Hiddleson said. "The number of complaints has gone down every month. We believe it is a good use of our time."
Hiddleson said if the board wants to rescind enforcement of the smoking ban for the county, it must give the Ohio Department of Health a 90-day notice. In addition to Logan County, health districts in Ashtabula, Highland and Portage counties have voted to end enforcement due to the financial burden.
To report smoking ban violations, call the state's toll free number, (866) 559-OHIO. For more information, contact the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental Health Smoke-Free Work-place Program, 246 N. High St., Columbus, Ohio 43215, or call (614) 466-1390 or fax (614) 466-4556 or e-mail nosmoke@odh.ohio.gov.
Breanne Parcels can be reached at bparcels@urbanacitizen.com
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