County creeps closer to going smoke free

Get ready to possibly go smoke free in Marion County. A City-County Council committee passed a smoking ban in a four to two vote.

The smoking ban proposal now goes to the full council for a vote on October 26. The proposal would ban smoking in all Marion County businesses including bars, private clubs and bowling alleys.

About 100 concerned citizens packed council chambers Wednesday night to comment on the smoking.

Proposal co-author Democrat Councillor Angela Mansfield said, "Workers should not have to be subjected to second hand smoke."

The bi-partisan proposal drew strong representation from Smoke Free Indy .

Lung cancer expert Dr. Nassar Hanna said, "I represent the people who have died and are suffering from second hand smoke. Comprehensive smoking bans save lives."

Barbara Woods, whose sister died of cancer, is also for the smoking ban.

"She was diagnosed with cancer in 2002. She was surprised, but her doctor was not surprised because he knew the dangers of second-hand smoke. Hazel did not."

There were a few dissenters speckled throughout the audience. Their views on the smoking ban were supported by a few councillors.

Republican Councillor Christie Scales said, "We're talking about serious liberty interests at stake. Smoking is legal."

"I like the idea of being able to go to a bar light up a cigarette and watch the game," said Bob Welch, who's also against the ban.

Right now, only businesses with customers under 18 years old are restricted by the current smoking ban. But if the council passes the proposal, smoking would be banned in almost every business in Marion County.

The committee amended the proposal to exclude tobacco bars, saying a smoking ban would hurt those businesses too much and even cause them to close. In order to be considered a Hooka or cigar bar at least 15 percent of sales must be tobacco.

Around Central Indiana, Bloomington, Cumberland, Greencastle, Hancock County, Monroe County, Zionsville and Plainfield have the strictest bans, which include all bars and restaurants.

There are several other locations that have partial bans including Westfield that just went into effect Wednesday. Below you will find a complete list of Central Indiana smoking bans and the rules.

• Avon - banned in all enclosed workplaces, including restaurants but exempting bars
   
• Carmel - banned in all enclosed workplaces and common-use areas, including restaurants -- exempts bars that don't employ or serve people under 21
   
• Columbus - banned in all enclosed workplaces, including restaurants but exempting bars and private clubs
   
• Delaware County - banned in all enclosed workplaces, exempting bars and restaurants
   
• Franklin - banned in all enclosed workplaces, exempting bars and restaurants and private clubs
   
• Greenfield - banned in all enclosed workplaces, including restaurants but exempting bars
   
• Greensburg - banned in all enclosed workplaces, including restaurants but exempting bars
   
• Greenwood - banned in all enclosed workplaces, including restaurants but exempting bars
   
• Indianapolis - banned in all enclosed workplaces, including bars and restaurants serving or employing persons younger than 18 -- exempts bowling alleys, tobacco bars, tobacco stores, and private clubs
   
• Kokomo - banned in all enclosed workplaces, including restaurants but exempting bars, private clubs, nursing homes and any establishments serving alcohol and not serving patrons under 21
   
• Seymour - banned in all enclosed workplaces, including restaurants but exempting bars and private clubs
   
• Shelbyville - banned in all enclosed workplaces except bars and restaurants
   
• Speedway - banned in all enclosed workplaces, including restaurants but exempting bars
   
• Westfield - banned in public places within the city, but is still allowed in bars and restaurants that serve only people 21 years or older. In hotels, smoking is allowed only in designated smoking rooms.
   
• Whitestown - banned in all enclosed workplaces except bars and restaurants