MOUNT VERNON — Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David Cain recently ruled the state of Ohio exceeded its authority to fine business owners for violations of the state’s no smoking laws. In his ruling, Cain said that aside from following procedures outlined by the state — posting no smoking signs, removing ashtrays and telling customers not to smoke — there is little a business owner can do to enforce the Ohio Smoke Free Workplace Act.

“I received an e-mail [recently] that the Ohio Department of Health has appealed the decision,” said Brian Benick, environmental health services director of the Knox County Health Department. “The case is on hold and we have been told to continue as we have been doing up to now.”

Alvin D. Jackson, director of the Ohio Department of Health, issued a press release detailing the department’s position on this issue.