WKSU News: Money for enforcement of smoking ban takes hit in the new state budget

Thursday, September 24, 2009 Money for enforcement of smoking ban takes hit in the new state budget Advocates say the law isn't going away, but will see cuts in funding for enforcement by WKSU's STATEHOUSE CORRESPONDENT JO INGLES	Reporter Jo Ingles

Health advocates say the state budget has cut money to enforce the statewide ban on smoking in public places. Shelly Kiser of the Ohio Lung Association says starting next July, the state will not give money from the master tobacco settlement to tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

Kristopher Weiss on the continuing enforcement of the smoking ban

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Shelly Kiser on what could be lost in the cuts

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The Ohio Health Department's Kristopher Weiss estimates the department will likely see a cut in funding for smoking ban enforcement from $6 million this year to $1.3 million next year.

Listener Comments:

The bans are so wonderful for increasing business. No enforcement is needed.

Posted by: Bob (Chicago) on September 1, 2010 10:09AM

Wonder why the anti smoking organization and ODH is whining about money being used for children and their health, do they hate children?

Posted by: kybriar (Ohio) on September 25, 2009 1:01PM

Just like ACORN, this is another organization that has no accountablility. While there may be merit to their stated goals the programs are riddled with waste fraud and abuse. I personaly object to MY Tax dollars bankrolling fanatics that exhibit and air of arrogance and superiority to incite hysteria for personal gain with out substantive facts to support their position.While there are many organizations that utilize contributed dollars to maximum efficiency, the ALA and ACS spend approximately 97% of donated contributions for campaign funding dinner parties and political influence.One approach to funding health care would be to eliminate the $600 Billion Dollars that goes to orgs. Like the ACS and ALA each year under the table. I'm sure Shelly Kiser could find a job waitng tables in a non-smoking lounge.If there are any.

Posted by: Reverendcrash (Mansfield) on September 25, 2009 8:16AM

Why is it people in these positions dont understand simple economics.? Ohio is broke, which part of broke dont they understand.
Credit ratings firm sees negative Ohio outlook
A major credit ratings agency says Ohio's credit standing is at risk, saying the state was counting too much on gambling dollars that are now in doubt.

Standard

Posted by: Phobinator (Bucyrus,Ohio) on September 25, 2009 5:36AM

May Ohio's smoking ban die to lead the way for the rest of the USSA!

Posted by: marbee (S. WI) on September 25, 2009 12:27AM

May all those that are and have been connected with the Ohio Tobacco Control deceits stand in long unemployment lines until pigs fly and drop gold balls on all businesses they managed to put our of business with their lies.

Posted by: History Buff (Ohio) on September 24, 2009 10:43PM

It's about time the vultures stopped feeding off the Smokers. The Smoking Ban would never have been passed if the voters had been told the truth. Businesses wouldn't be closing if the wording hadn't been changed after the vote. Tobacco Control has a way of getting things done, even if lying isn't enough.

Posted by: virgilk (u) on September 24, 2009 9:48PM

What the bar owner said.

Those antis do lie about the lack of harm to private businesses, especially bars.

Another bar closed in my town this week.
So many since the smoking ban.

Perhaps the antismoking organizations are seeing the fruit of their deceptive labors by having their money yanked.
What is that old adage about "turn about is fair play."

Certainly applies concerning the antismoking lobbyists.

Kiser is a professional lobbyist with her hands in many things....
http://ohiolobby.org/jagers-susan/

Interesting, I've seen her business partner's name before and recently.
http://www.allbusiness.com/science-technology/earth-atmospheric-science/12763456-1.html

Hmm....

Posted by: Lobbyists need to pound pavement (Ohio) on September 24, 2009 9:47PM

No enforcement is wonderful news..WTG Governor Strickland!! Those people have sucked the life out of Ohio business for far too long

Posted by: kybriar (Ohio) on September 24, 2009 9:31PM

and Johnson profits from the sales of the patches, gum and lozenges. How do you like THAT Ms. Kiser? You call us bar owners liars that the ban hasn't killed our businesses? Let's kill YOUR business.

Posted by: Pam (Columbus, OH) on September 24, 2009 9:25PM

Here's an idea. Let's help Ms. Kiser. Let's ban nicotine in Ohio. Let's ban the sale, growing, possession, sale and use of nicotine of any kind. In 2008, the State of Ohio took in over 955 MILLION DOLLARS in tobacco excise taxes. If we ban nicotine, then there will BE NO MORE MSA money because it's based on the number of packs of cigarettes purchased in a state. There'll be no more tobacco license money and all smoke shops will close and black market will thrive. And best of all, Ms. Kiser and those who make their money from tobacco control will have their money dried up, too. No more money from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, whose parent company Johnson

Posted by: Pam (Columbus, OH) on September 24, 2009 9:23PM

I think that Shelly Kiser and Kristopher Weiss take most seriously securing their funds from the Master Settlement Agreement. They take money from smokers to ban smokers, ruin businesses and property rights.

Posted by: Rebecca (Dayton, OH) on September 24, 2009 9:07PM

Good.
About time these leeches found a real job.

Posted by: Lobbyists need to pound pavement (Ohio) on September 24, 2009 8:41PM

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