Smoking ban cuts both ways for bars

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A committee of the Indianapolis City-County Council heard the arguments for expanding a smoking ban Wednesday night. But one local business doesn't like the sound of the proposal.

A lot of people have a very traditional idea about places like the Chatterbox jazz club.

"Jazz, smoking and drinking...they all go together," said Chatterbox owner David Andrichik.

But there are some who want to break with tradition and eliminate smoking at the Chatterbox and any other indoor workplace.

"We want to protect all workers because we think that nobody should have to choose between their health and a paycheck," said Tim Filler of SmokeFree Indy.

So, Filler and other members of SmokeFree Indy encouraged members of the council committee to expand the smoking restrictions approved in 2005.

"The law in its current form leaves some people behind," said Filler.

Back at the Chatterbox, Andrichik said his employees haven't complained. But he knows they would be considered one of those "left behind" because the club's not covered by the current law.

"Truly, my personal preference is that we would be included in the law and that we would go smoke free," said Andrichik.

He tried it for about nine months by making a few hours smoke free on Fridays and Saturdays.

"People stayed away in droves. So it was a very unsuccessful experiment for me," said Andrichik.

But that could be a lesson for the council as it considers expanding the law. Andrichik says this time, councillors should make sure there are no exceptions.

"If it's a law for everyone across the board, then we will abide by it and we will take whatever business adjustments are necessary to make that work," said Andrichik.

Tim Filler said there's another business angle to the smoking ban proposal. He said some companies prefer to locate in areas where such laws exist because, by reducing exposure to second-hand smoke, employers reduce their spending on preventable health care needs for their workers.