Smoking fines could shut down local bars

Friday, July 22 2011

By Cornelius Frolik and Gin A. Ando
Staff Writers| The Oxford Press (OH)

A handful of area businesses owe tens of thousands of dollars in dozens of unpaid fines for smoking violations, which under a new state initiative could put their liquor licenses at risk in the future when they are up for renewal.

In a precedent-setting move, the Ohio Division of Liquor Control this month denied the liquor permit renewal of the Cincinnati-area business Peg’s Pub on the grounds that it repeatedly disregarded state law by incurring about 18 fines and failing to pay $55,900 they owed, said Jen House, spokeswoman with the Ohio Department of Health.

Read more at oxfordpress.com