Court dismisses smoking complaints against three Toledo bars

The Franklin County Common Pleas Court dismissed complaints filed against three Toledo area bars by the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department (Source: "3 smoke-ban complaints snuffed," Toledo Blade, May 23, 2008).  The court dismissed the complaints on the grounds that the inspectors issuing the complaints never interview the bar officials.

According to the health department, the inspectors followed the advice of the Ohio Department of Health.  This advice recommended that inspectors not interview bar officials if they feared a confrontation would result in a risk to their safety.

At the May 22nd Toledo-Lucas County Health Department Board meeting, the Board upheld another four complaints for smoking ban violations.  These four establishments can also appeal their complaint to the Franklin County Common Pleas Court.