Haggling over whether to allow exemptions for bars and more smoking areas at casinos as part of a statewide smoking ban in
Indiana has pushed back debate among House members, the bill's sponsor said Thursday.
Rep. Eric Turner, R-Cicero, said he's trying to work with fellow legislators, adding that debate on possible amendments
will begin Friday or Monday.
"We're trying to reach a conclusion on minimizing the number of exemptions and still passing the bill," Turner
said.
The current bill would prohibit smoking in nearly all public places and workplaces, including bars. It would continue to
allow smoking on casino gambling floors and at fraternal and veterans clubs, cigar and hookah bars and retail tobacco shops.
Some House members plan to seek additional exemptions for bars and all buildings on casino property.
Those exemptions were included in a smoking ban bill approved by the House last year. Health advocates argued that it would
have given the state one of the weakest bans in the country, and the bill was defeated in a Senate committee after its chairman
argued the bar exemption was needed to win Senate passage.
Rep. Sean Eberhart, R-Shelbyville, is pushing for the removal of smoking limits on casino buildings and says he thinks that
exemption is needed to protect the state's 13 casinos from competition in neighboring states — and the some $650
million a year in tax revenue the state receives from them.
"I don't think there's any question that patrons expect to be able to smoke when they come to a casino and that
would extend not only to the gaming area, but to the restaurants and the common areas," Eberhart said.
The House has approved statewide smoking limits five times in recent years, but the Senate has never voted on those bills.
Turner said he believes greater public support and Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels' endorsement will help the broader ban's
chances this year.
But Rep. Jud McMillin, R-Brookville, said while he frequents places that don't allow smoking, he still thinks bar owners
should have the right to set smoking policies.
"I just don't like government regulation and feel like businesses should have the opportunity to decide whether
they should be smoke free," he said.
IBJNews
Fight looming over banning smoking in Indiana bars
Associated Press
January 26, 2012
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The Men's & Women's Big 10 hoops tournaments with be in Indy this year. In the past, the city has taken time to designate particular streets and common locations where they can be encouraged to huddle together.
I don't remember the last time a team DIDN'T ask for a change of venue because the smoking was more than they were willing to tolerate.
If California is so open, how is it a statewide no-smoking law has held up? Ditto for NY.
It appears that public pressure has finally reached the local and state legislators to pass an extended smokefree air law. Stop with the added exemptions and just pass the darn thing.
You have the largest sporting event in the country to take place next week in Indianapolis and you need to become a first class city by then.
If it's about Health Care costs then the real issue here is that we offer FREE Health Care - Socialistic Health Care.
I pay for my health care. If I smoked, I would have to pay more for it.
Conservatives please unite against this ban and any other that strips freedoms from privately owned businesses to decide how to run their business.
Why do we need big brother dictating this to us?
Giving up freedom for protection? Look up the quote. If you are trying to have the government take this freedom to give protection, you deserve neither one!
I happen to enjoy a drink or two at a bar. How would the smokers feel if I stood on a chair and shared the by-product on them?
When sporting events are in town, they frequently get "hometown" designations - a place to hang out.
How many teams have asked for bars to allow smoking vs. those which are quite open about getting another bar which doesn't allow smoking?
The reason Indiana has any exemptions to smoking is because we're next door to Kentucky...and we rank somewhere between 2nd-5th, depending upon the direction of the breeze.
Just out of curiosity, how can smoking be banned in a state so liberal & care free: California ???
You know what the smokers did - they walked outside, smoked and came right back in. OMG- you mean the smoker actually left and got back in. You bet! You know what else happened in this study - revenues rose. Why? because those who smoke, like to drink, those who drink like to smoke - so they won't stay away for every. And guess what - the increase in revenue was from attracting more people who detested going to the bars just to have to get home at 2am to take a shower or immediately wash your sheets the next day. Get over this exemption cow dung and DO IT!
Did you realize one of the most long-running, oldest bar in Indiana - the Slippery Noodle voluntarily went smoke-free. I've been 8 times since to enjoy music. How many times did I go when it was smoke-filled. ONCE. And that was enough.
If Indiana has anything similar to the demographic of other states, maybe it ought o have a look at what other cities and states have done.
Then you won't pay any attention to nonsense doom and gloom statements like KMiller's.
If anyone cares to check with bar owners in a place where there is a smoking ban, here is what they generally say:
-- my revenues are up 4%. Smokers don't stay away, and new non-smoker customers come in!
-- my costs are down 4%. Insurance, cleaning and furniture repair/replacement are all now less costly.
-- As long as the rules are applied equally, and there isn't a nearby holdout jurisdiction for smokers to go to, this new policy is great for business!
-- I wish we had banned smoking in bars years ago!
Welcome to the 90s, Indiana. I think your interest in living in the past might be the only thing that makes you unique. Otherwise, pay attention to what thousands of other jursidictions have already found out.
Even in a backassward state like indiana there are more non smokers than smokers so take that and spit it in your mountain dew bottle.