COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A group of bar owners from Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo announced plans Wednesday to stage a major demonstration at the Statehouse to protest Ohio’s anti-smoking law.

Organizer Hermann Tegenkamp, owner of a bar in Cincinnati, told WHIOTV.COM that the smoking ban has decreased his business by 30 percent.

“We’re going to go down the tubes,” Tegenkamp said.

Tegenkamp said he hopes to push legislators to realize that bar owners are losing too much money and cannot continue to operate under the law.

“We need them to make some adjustments to the smoking ban,” Tegenkamp said.

He and other owners want bars to be exempted.

The law took effect in December 2006 and includes virtually all workplaces free from smoking.

Pam Parker of Columbus said many owners are getting ready to lose their businesses.

“Smokers are not patronizing these places. They are just going home,” Parker said.

She has written to state lawmakers and Gov. Ted Strickland about the issue but they have not responded.

Parker and Tegenkamp said they are hoping for a show of support at their rally set for noon, Oct. 9 at the Statehouse in Columbus.

Jim.otte@whiotv.com