RubberBuzz || Akron Unleashed: It's Official-ish

11.22.2005

It's Official-ish

Last night Summit County Council approved the county-wide smoking ban in a 6 to 5 vote. The Clean Indoor Air Ordinance will go into effect on February 28 of next year, but not for Akron bars. Wait, what? Akron's in Summit County so how is the city above the count? The answer: a loophole.

In Akron, Law Director Max Rothal said Monday he believes Akron's less-restrictive Clean Indoor Air Ordinance, on the books since 1990, prevails in the city. It allows smoking in bars, bowling alleys, bingo halls, restaurants, banquet halls, hotels and tobacco stores.

Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic had remained silent on the county proposal until Monday, when his spokesman, Mark Williamson, said ``the county shouldn't be addressing this, but rather wait for this to become a statewide issue next year.''

Plusquellic, currently on a trip abroad, ``would support a statewide ban,'' Williamson said.

Rothal, who spent weeks researching conflicting city-county smoking laws, said because the two laws conflict, the city's law prevails in Akron. He said the city could not prosecute those who violate the county's ban. Any state law that might get adopted, however, would overrule any county or local law, he added.

[Pete]Crossland [D-Akron] said he disagrees with Rothal, but believes the law could wind up being challenged in court.

Smoke 'em if you've got 'em.

The BJ :: Summit County bans smoking -- well, sort of

(joe :: It's Official-ish)

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