Smoking ban could have ripple effect

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The new Indianapolis smoking ban needs the mayor's signature before it can go into effect, but others in surrounding communities are already keeping a close eye on the matter.

Monday night, the City-County Council approved a modified version of the ban , hoping to avoid Mayor Greg Ballard’s veto that killed the previous proposal.

Ballard said then that he objected to restrictions on smoking at private clubs. Under the new bill, private clubs could vote to exempt themselves.

The new bill is likely to be delivered to his office later this week. Ballard then has 10 days to decide whether to sign it.

Critics of the idea of a smoking ban have said that Indianapolis bars may lose business to competitors in Beech Grove, Lawrence, Southport and Speedway, since the ban would not cover them.

But, a leader in Lawrence said his city has been watching the Indianapolis debate closely.

"I think it's a very good ban, a good ordinance,” Ray Anderson, Lawrence City Council member, said. “I would say that we're going to probably follow along with that."

Anderson told us the concept has "pretty good support" on the Lawrence council. He predicted it will be introduced soon.