TERRE HAUTE —
As a statewide prohibition on smoking went into effect Sunday, so did an online complaint form for people to fill out to regarding violations of the smoking ban.
The Indiana State Excise Police will investigate violations of the law — Indiana Code 7.1-5-12 — based on information provided on the form, which can be submitted anonymously.
“There is nothing to prohibit citizen complaints,” said Travis Thickstun, public information officer for the excise police. “All complaints will be investigated, but it may take a few days. There is no hotline to call, so there is no immediate response.”
The form is available online at www.in.gov/atc/2640.htm.
A complaint can be filed by a citizen; state department of health; local health department; a health and hospital corporation; division of fire and building safety; or a law enforcement officer.
The form asks for the name and address of the business or organization at which the violation allegedly occurred. The form also asks the nature of complaint, giving the following options:
• Signs not posted
• Allows smoking in prohibited location
• Failure to remove ashtrays
• Retaliating for reported violation
• Smoking on school bus
• Cigar bar allowing cigarette smoking
• Hookah bar allowing cigarette smoking
• Allowing minors in smoking location
The form also notes: “An owner, manager, operator, or official in charge of a public place or place of employment who fails to comply with a requirement imposed by Indiana’s smoking ban commits a class-B infraction.” A class-B infraction can carry a fine of up to $1,000.
The Vigo County Commissioners passed a much stricter version of the smoking ban, which also went into effect July 1. The county health department is tasked with enforcing the Clean Indoor Air Ordinance in all businesses encompassed by the policy.
According to information from the Vigo County Health Department, Vigo County law enforcement agencies will respond to an establishment after the bartender, manager, person in charge or owner has called Vigo County Central Dispatch and said a patron will not leave the establishment after being told to extinguish his or her cigarette, cigar, pipe, hookah or other device that would be used to bring smoke into the body.
The Vigo County Health Department is to enforce the ordinance in all businesses encompassed by the policy, and will take complaints at (812) 462-3428 or at its office at 147 Oak St.
Complaints given to the Vigo County Health Department cannot be anonymous, but are confidential.
Reporter Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com. Follow her on Twitter @TribStarLisa.
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Smoking complaint? Fill out Web form
Excise police, health officials to investigate non-compliance
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