(a) Since the State of Ohio enacted Chapter 3794 of Title 37 of the Revised Code, entitled Smoking Ban, to prohibit smoking in public places, smoking lounges have become increasingly popular.
(b) Potential adverse impacts associated with these establishments have been identified such as large numbers of patrons during the evening and night time, crowds overflowing into parking areas and impeding on nearby businesses, leaving behind trash, broken alcohol bottles and debris, incidents requiring police response, fights, alcohol possession on unlicensed premises, traffic, noise, and complaints from neighboring businesses and residents. The purpose of this article is to regulate smoking lounges for the public health, safety, and welfare of the Village and persons within its jurisdictional boundaries; to prevent access to tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products by minors at these establishments, and to prevent the spread of smoke fumes to adjacent properties, and persons passing by these establishments.
(c) This Chapter is designed to establish reasonable and uniform regulations to prevent potential adverse impacts relating to these establishments. The regulations adopted are designed to provide objective and orderly procedures for the administration of this Chapter.
(Ord. 2014-09. Passed 3-4-14.)