Religious Objection-- Among Others-- Raised To Ohio's New Smoking Ban

The Ohio Department of Health yesterday held hearings on proposed rules to implement a state-wide indoor smoking ban in businesses and other public places that was approved by Ohio voters last November. Today's Columbus Dispatch reports that among the many vociferous opponents of the ban was one Native American woman who said the proposed rules would violate her First Amendment right to freedom of religion because she uses tobacco in spiritual rituals.