The Ohio Supreme Court has rejected an appeal to exempt veterans halls and other private clubs from the state’s smoking ban.
The high court said Wednesday that it declined to hear the appeal by the Ohio Department of Health, which argued that the smoking ban approved by voters in 2006 included an exemption for veterans halls, American Legion posts and other fraternal clubs.
The decision lets stand a lower court ruling that said the health department did not have authority to write rules exempting private clubs.
The law, formally implemented last year, prohibits nearly all employers from allowing smoking. Private clubs could be exempt only if they have no employees, do not invite the general public or minors inside, and have freestanding structures from which smoke cannot migrate into areas where smoking is prohibited. (pi)