Ohio’s Smoking Ban Didn’t Really Do Much

Despite an improved quality of air and a reduce in E.R. visits for asthma, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — Ohio’s ban on smoking indoors didn’t really curb the amount of smokers (like it was originally intended to do.)

When Ohio decided to push the smokers outside, the adult smoking rate was 23.1% in 2007 and now, nearly a decade later, it’s 21.6% — less than a 2% change. The national rate is nearly seven points lower at 15%.

So what’s the deal?

Ohio’s low tobacco tax rates and our total lack of cessation programs could be seen as the culprit for the slow decline as well demographics according to some Academics. Ohio reportedly only spends a very small amount of the $132 million allocated for Tobacco Prevention recommended by the CDC.

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