The Monongalia County Board of Health was prepared to vote today on the Monongalia County Clean Indoor Air Regulation. Unfortunately, it appears that the Smoke-Free Mon County Coalition helped to ruin any chances of an end to this issue when they filed a complaint with the state ethics commission claiming that three members of the board (Sam Chico III, August Lucci, and Bob Bell) had conflicts of interest concerning the regulation, as their sources of income had a reliance on tobacco sales or use. According to WDTV CBS 5, the group also threatened to protest until “something was done.” As a result of these and other recent developments, WBOY-TV 12 reports that Chairman Sam Chico tabled the vote, with no plans on when the vote will take place in the future.

Chico said recent developments such as the complaint filed with the West Virginia Ethics Commission to remove three members from the vote forced the delay.

“To be attacked viciously and inaccurately quite frankly is saddening,” Chico said, “and for a special interest to make such attacks - it actually does not help their cause. I had fully intended for a vote to happen and pass and they’ve subverted the whole process so unfortunately we don’t have a Clean Indoor Act because of these strategies.”

“I don’t think either side should claim victory,” Chico added, “quite frankly everybody lost.”

[WDTV: BOH Ready to Vote on Proposed Smoking Ban]

[WBOY: Monongalia County Smoking Ban Vote is Tabled]