Mayor Ballard vetos smoking ban

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard Friday vetoed the City-County Council’s proposed smoking ban.

According to the mayor’s office, Ballard returned the proposal to the Clerk unsigned signifying his veto.

The mayor’s decision to prevent the measure from becoming city ordinance stems from an amendment to the ordinance that would exclude bars and veterans’ clubs only if they barred children.

City-County Councilors say they're discouraged that they will not be able to do anything at the City-County level, but they are hopeful the smoking ban at the state level will move forward.

A very similar bill and has already passed the Indiana House the next step is the Senate Committee. While they wait Councilors who supported the bill aren't happy with the Mayor.

“Indianapolis is currently the largest city in the nation without a comprehensive smoking ban," says City-County Councilor John Barth.

It will stay that way for the time being now that Mayor Ballard has vetoed the bill. Something Councilor John Barth says will hurt the city in the end.

"I think it’s critically important for multiple reasons especially I think people don't often realize the economic development reasons that matter, people who come here from out of town to do conferences and so on. And also more importantly and the most important thing is public health," Barth said.

The sticking point the ban exempts private clubs such as veteran's halls, which the Mayor wants. However children would not be allowed in those places if people could smoke, which the Mayor is against.

In explaining his veto, Mayor Greg Ballard said, "I believe private and fraternal clubs, by the nature of their organizations, should be allowed to pursue their own policies with regard to mandating a smoking or non-smoking environment. If the Council would pass a smoking ban covering the areas where we agree, such as bars, bowling alleys, hotel rooms and restaurants, I would sign it the moment it hit my desk."

A veteran's hall bartender says his customers don't want to be told what to do.

"The members that come in here the people that come in here, they're not concerned about smoking around their kids, I've never had a complaint about it,” says Byron Carrel with VFW Post 1120.

It will take 20 votes to override the Mayor and Councilors do not think they can get those votes. As of now the plan is to wait and see what will happen with the state's smoking ban proposal.

The next City-County Council meeting is Monday February 13th.