Feature Article

Two more Central Ohio communities expressed their desire for clean indoor air on Nov. 8, as both Gahanna and Grandview Heights voted overwhelmingly in favor of smokefree workplace legislation.  Gahanna and Grandview Heights will join Columbus and more than ten other Central Ohio communities with clean indoor air ordinances.

Voters approved the Gahanna ordinance by a 64 to 36 margin, according to unofficial results, while the Grandview Heights ordinance passed by a similar 66 to 33 margin.  The Gahanna ordinance was placed on the ballot by a citizen group, Clean Indoor Air Gahanna.  The Grandview Heights ordinance was approved by city council last year, but a petition drive forced a city-wide vote.

Meanwhile, in the Akron area, the Summit County Council is considering a county-wide clean indoor air law. Because Summit County is Ohio's only home rule county, it is the only county which could pass a county-wide clean indoor air law.  The proposed law was introduced last month with eight council members as co-sponsors.  It would prohibit smoking in all Summit County workplaces, including restaurants and bars.

The Summit County proposal has sparked a significant amount of debate about clean indoor air laws.  One side effect of the proposal has been a renewed interest in the experience of Columbus, the largest Ohio city with a comprehensive clean indoor air ordinance in place.  The Columbus ordinance has been in effect since the end of January.  A recent article in the Akron Beacon Journal noted that Columbus workplaces have adjusted to the law, and there is now "little, if any, talk of turning back."  An analysis by the Ohio Division of Liquor Control found that Columbus has experienced no noticeable chance in either alcohol sales permits or business closings.

To get involved in supporting a clean indoor air law for Summit County, click here.