LOCAL TOBACCO REGS

A FRANKLIN COUNTY JUDGE HAS TEMPORARILY BLOCKED A STATE BAN ON LOCAL TOBACCO REGULATIONS. 
THE T-R-O (TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER) BLOCKS THE LAW FROM GOING INTO EFFECT UNTIL A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION HEARING ON MAY 17TH. THE CITY'S CURRENT BAN ON FLAVORED TOBACCO WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT WHILE THIS IS DECIDED IN THE COURTS. COLUMBUS CITY ATTORNEY ZACH KLEIN ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING, "I APPLAUD THE COURTS DECISION SIDING WITH CITIES AND LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING OUR CASE TO SHOW THIS LAW. IS NOT ONLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL, BUT ALSO JUST BAD POLICY THAT HARMS PUBLIC HEALTH AND UNDERMINES THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE TO CURB TOBACCO USAGE, ESPECIALLY AMONG TEENS."