Ohio voters approved a smoking ban in November of 2006 which prohibits smoking in public places and places of employment. The ban provides a statewide minimum standard of protection from the health hazards associated with exposure to secondhand smoke.

Enforcement of the ban by the Ohio Department of Health became effective May 3, 2007. Many of Ohio’s local health departments, including the Lake County General Health District, have partnered with the Ohio Department of Health to help provide enforcement of the law and rules, and have been designated to enforce the Smoking Ban in certain areas of Ohio.

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has toll free numbers and email addresses to answer questions concerning enforcement of the law and the law itself. The toll free numbers are available during normal ODH business hours, Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Messages can be left after business hours.  If you would like to report a violation, please call the ODH enforcement line at 1 (866) 559-OHIO (6446) or email at nosmoke@odh.ohio.gov.

If you would like more information about the smoke free legislation that is not related to enforcement, please contact the ODH information line at 1 (866) ODH (634)-7654 or email at smkinfo@odh.ohio.gov.

You may also visit our Frequently Asked Questions or call Lake County General Health District at (440) 350-2543 to obtain more information about the law.

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions about Ohio’s Smoke-Free Workplace Act
Ohio Department of Health Smoke-Free Workplace Program