Reds' Players Celebratory Cigars Draw Complaints

The Cincinnati Health Department will conduct a required inspection after anonymous complaints that celebratory cigar smoking by Reds players after their NL Central title victory violated Ohio's smoking ban.

Department spokesman Rocky Merz said Friday state law requires the inspection after five complaints about the indoor smoking were phoned in to a statewide smoking ban complaint hot line.

But Merz says further action is "highly unlikely."

Merz says an inspection must be done within 30 days and the Reds will be notified of the alleged violation. He says inspections are designed for repeat offenders and the inspector actually would have to see someone smoking to prompt any further action.

Merz says the department realizes "everyone was celebrating" the victory and wishes the Reds well.

Reds spokesman Rob Butcher declined comment Friday.