Q: Will there be designated smoke areas?
A: No. To avoid citation by the Health Department, the glass smoker huts on the campus were removed in mid February. The remaining two designated smoking huts were converted back to leisure enclosures at close of business on May 30, 2008. Now, there are no designated smoking areas anywhere on the campus or anywhere on Port Authority-owned property.
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Q: I want to quit. How can I get help?
A: Drastic changes in policy are, often, a reason to consider trying to quit. The Port Authority has teamed up with The Breathing Association, an affliate of Licking Memorial Hospital, and our COATC employers, to offer free smoking cessation services. As of April 2008, the hnlcpa.com/nosmoke website contained several website resources with information on where to get printed materials. Also, an informational forum introducing the availability of smoking cessation class offerings, including individualized cessation counseling, was held April 10 with a four-week class starting May 1. Based on demand, more classes can be offered as well.
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Q: Is this policy truly tobacco-free or smoke-free?
A: The policy's reference concerning tobacco use is broad. The intent is to zero out the health risk to personnel and visitors. Beyond activities prohibited under the Ohio statewide smoking ban, however, the COATC policy is only enforceable by an employer. Therefore, consult your individual employer's policy concerning smokeless tobacco products and understand that some on-site employer policies may broadly include use of all tobacco products.
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Q: Will the Port Authority be enforcing the policy?
A: There won't be any "tobacco police" or any enforcement officer on site. The policy is designed to be employer-enforced. With 17 different employers, numerous contractors, and a large number of daily visitors, enforcement won't be by one entity, it will be by all of them. Most provisions in the policy are enforceable under Ohio law by the Ohio Department of Health and its designees. An individual can be cited and fined for violation of Ohio law under this policy.
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Q: How will the policy be enforced?
A: Every COATC employer, under Ohio law and as encouraged by the Port Authority, will have a policy to enforce the tobacco-free campus policy on its personnel, contractors, and visitors. Consult your employer for enforcement provisions. Your employer may enforce violations of this policy through standard disciplinary procedures. In addition, potential violations of Ohio's smoking ban regulations can be called in to the state's toll-free number 1-866-559-6446.
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Q: Can I smoke in my car?
A: Parking lots at the COATC are part of the Port Authority-owned transportation facilities at the COATC. Further, the policy indicates that tobacco use on the entire campus is prohibited. Thus, smoking in your car is, at the very least, strongly discouraged.

Further, State law has provisions regarding smoking in a private vehicle in certain circumstances and your employer may as well.
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Q: What is the area of enforcement?
A: Anywhere the Port Authority owns or leases property, including property leased to private companies, this policy will be in affect. As of April 2008, this included over 300 acres in the City of Heath, including all of the property of the former Newark Air Force Base transferred to the Port Authority in 1996.

An aerial photo depicting property owned by the Port Authority and subject to the policy will be maintained on the website with the most current copy of the policy.
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Q: Is there any part of the land on this side of Irving-Wick that isn't Port Authority land? Some think they can walk to a part of the entrance roads and smoke/chew.
A: The Port Authority owns the land that includes the roadways to Irving Wick Drive and, thus, where the restrictions apply. Irving Wick Drive is the closest City of Heath right of way where someone would have to go to not be trespassing when he attempts to get around the employer and Port Authority restrictions.
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