CRESTVIEW HILLS — The Crestview Hills Mall has become the last Greater Cincinnati mall to prohibit smoking in common areas.

        On May 1, signs designating the mall as smoke-free were erected at mall entrances in this Kenton County city of 2,889.

        Like most other Greater Cincinnati malls that have gone smoke-free, the policy applies only to the mall's common areas.

        Smoking within the stores is at the discretion of the retailers, said Steve Berry, the mall's manager.

        However, most of the tenants prohibit smoking within their stores or restaurants, according to management of other Greater Cincinnati malls.

        Mr. Berry said the new policy was in response to concerns from customers and mall walkers.

        Mr. Berry said most complaints came during the holidays, when families visited the mall to see Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.

        “It really hasn't been a big issue, but everyone is going that way, and it is a health concern,” Mr. Berry said.

        “We want to try to do what's right by the customers — especially the children — and the people who work here.”

        Five years ago this month, Forest Fair Mall became the second-to-the-last Greater Cincinnati mall to prohibit smoking in common areas. In 1996, the Florence Mall became the first Northern Kentucky mall to go smoke-free.

        Although Kentucky has a higher percentage of smokers than any other state — 31 percent — more and more businesses have adopted no-smoking policies, health officials say.

        In Kentucky, health care expenditures directly related to smoking total about $1 billion a year.

        Stephanie Vogel, the health education supervisor for the Northern Kentucky Independent Health District, applauded the mall's new policy.

        “That's great,” said Ms. Vogel, who said secondhand smoke can be extremely dangerous to people with allergies or asthma.

        “We think that's a really big step for (the mall) to take in protecting their community,” Ms. Vogel said.

Parks, mental health levies just squeak by
Yates wins primary for seat in state House
Mariemont's school tax fails
Warren, Butler say no to taxes
Warren County voters back levy for seniors
Boyle wins primary for state treasurer
Maineville voters trounce levies
Norwood among those to OK levies
Turner leads in 3rd District
Curbing runoff not easy
Erpenbeck quits NKU board of regents
Group offers to end boycott
Homes slide in rain
Man injured in crash with officer now critical
Report says foreclosures cluster heavily in certain neighborhoods
Runway project going ahead
School manager may sue trustees
Tristate A.M. Report
Vannatter wins sheriff nomination
BRONSON: Dear Bill
Cranley beats the odds, DeWine
HOWARD: Some Good News
SMITH AMOS: Don't give up
Jury hears emotional taped interview
Kilburn opens lead for Warren commission
Election fraud alleged
Immersion in an art form is inspiring, students told
Judge to get summaries in land dispute
Land board violated law, state rules
Mall becomes last in area to go smoke-free
Westwood man indicted on charge of manslaughter in Covington killing