COLUMBUS, Ohio — Franklin County Judge Mark Serrott ruled that a state ban on Ohio cities’ tobacco regulations was unconstitutional, agreeing with more than a dozen cities that had joined together in a lawsuit to challenge a recent state law, according to a press release from Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein’s office.

What You Need To Know

  • Franklin County Judge Mark Serrott ruled that a state ban on Ohio cities’ tobacco regulations was unconstitutional, according to a press release from Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein’s office

  • More than a dozen cities that had joined together in a lawsuit to challenge a recent state law

  • The state law, which was set to take effect on April 23, was vetoed by Gov. Mike DeWine, but that veto was overridden

  • The state can appeal

The state law, which was set to take effect on April 23, was vetoed by Gov. Mike DeWine, but that veto was overridden.

Klein issued the following statement as part of the release:

“I applaud the Court’s decision siding with cities to declare this law unconstitutional, a decision that upholds home rule and keeps in effect local laws that have worked for decades to improve public health and curb tobacco usage, especially among teens,” he said. “While we know this may not be the end of this fight, this decision is a significant win for both the City of Columbus and for the health and safety of children and families.”

The release stated that the city’s current regulations will stay in place, which includes the the flavored tobacco sales ban. This is the same for regulations in other cities in the lawsuit.

The following cities joined the lawsuit:

  • Columbus
  • Bexley
  • Cincinnati
  • Cleveland
  • Dublin
  • Gahanna
  • Grandview Heights
  • Heath
  • Hilliard
  • Oxford
  • Reynoldsburg
  • Upper Arlington
  • Whitehall
  • Worthington

The release also notes that the state can appeal the ruling.

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