July 28, 2006 – Today SmokeFreeOhio turned in more than 185,000 signatures to the Ohio Secretary of State. This is nearly double the 96,780 signatures SmokeFreeOhio needed. Once certified, the SmokeFreeOhio initiative will put a smoke-free state law on the November ballot. This will let Ohio voters decide whether to make all public places and workplaces smoke-free.

"Hundreds of thousands of Ohio voters want the chance to go to work, go to dinner, and to go bowling without breathing in secondhand smoke. The enthusiasm of Ohioans was so great that we are turning in our signatures ahead of our deadline," said Tracy Sabetta, co-chair of SmokeFreeOhio. "Ohio voters have spoken - they believe everyone has the right to breathe smoke-free air."

SmokeFreeOhio is also warning voters that the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association, RJ Reynolds and other tobacco companies are circulating a petition to amend Ohio's constitution to keep secondhand smoke in public places and restaurants and to bring smoking back to 21 Ohio cities. Some paid signature gatherers for the opposition's effort are misrepresenting this proposal to Ohio voters, saying Big Tobacco's petitions will make Ohio smoke-free.

In an effort to eliminate confusion surrounding the issue, SmokeFreeOhio is kicking off a unique radio advertising campaign telling voters not to sign any smoking-related petitions that are still being circulated now. The ads remind voters that SmokeFreeOhio's signature gathering is complete, and, if the petition says "smoking," Big Tobacco's behind it, so just don't sign it.

"Please don't be fooled. If you are asked to sign a smoke-free petition, keep your pen in your pocket," warned Sabetta. "No matter what you are told, it will not be a petition for SmokeFreeOhio. Our petition work is done."

Ohioans demonstrated strong support for a smoke-free Ohio. Voters from all 88 counties signed petitions. More than 2,000 volunteers and staff gathered about half of the 185,000 signatures, an unprecedented grassroots effort. The support was so overwhelming, SmokeFreeOhio turned in the signatures early!

SmokeFreeOhio also needed to cross a certain threshold of signatures in 44 Ohio counties. Volunteers rose to the occasion, and we have surpassed those goals and turned in more than 185,000 signatures to qualify in at least 75 counties across the state.

SmokeFreeOhio is pursuing a new state law, not a constitutional amendment. The first round of 100,000 signatures turned in last November put the SmokeFreeOhio proposal before Ohio lawmakers. After four months of legislative debate expired, SmokeFreeOhio had 90 days to collect another set of 100,000 signatures to put the issue before voters.

Smoke-free policies allow children, the elderly, and those with health problems to enjoy public places without putting their health at risk. The American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the Association of Ohio Health Commissioners, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the Ohio Hospital Association, the Ohio State Medical Association, and a total of 470 Ohio businesses and organizations support smoke-free public places because they protect Ohioans from secondhand smoke.

At least 21 Ohio cities have passed laws to protect residents from secondhand smoke. However, only a statewide law can protect all Ohioans from this hazard. When voters approve the initiative in 2006, Ohio will join fourteen other states with strong clean indoor air laws.

All major health organizations, including the U.S. Surgeon General, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health, the World Health Organization, the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognize that secondhand smoke poses a health hazard to nonsmokers.

For more information on how you can help protect your right to breathe smoke-free, visit online at www.SmokeFreeOhio.org.