The Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce is throwing its weight behind a tougher workplace smoking ban up for consideration
Monday night by the City-County Council.
Support from the business group could help seal passage for the ordinance,
which has divided the council. The measure would expand an existing smoking ban by prohibiting lighting
up in bars, bowling alleys and nightclubs, along with nearby outdoor seating areas.
City-County
Councilor Angela Mansfield, a Democrat, is co-sponsoring the proposal along with
Republican Ben Hunter. Supporters say the ban is an obvious way to improve public health, while opponents
argue business owners should decide for themselves whether to allow smoking.
Chamber President
Roland Dorson said his group's rationale for supporting the ban goes beyond public health, to economic
development. People and businesses considering a move to Indianapolis consider quality-of-life matters,
including smoking bans.
"One of the ingredients to creating a fantastic place is a demonstrated concern for public health," Dorson said.
Indianapolis first passed a smoke-free workplace ordinance in 2005.
At the time, the Chamber received feedback for and against the proposal, Dorson said. This time, they've heard only from supporters.
"We’ll take a leadership role on this," he said. "It would be great if it passed in
its current form."
The existing law, which took effect in March 2006, prohibits smoking
in public workplaces, but has exceptions for bars, taverns, bowling alleys, private clubs with liquor
licenses, and businesses that don't allow patrons younger than 18.
An amendment to the new proposal would still
allow smoking in cigar and hookah bars, but it would cap the number of licenses available for such establishments.
If the city votes to remove some of the exceptions, it would follow the lead of a couple of surrounding
communities that have strengthened smoking ordinances in recent months. In May, Franklin passed
one of the most restrictive bans in the state, covering all enclosed workplaces
and public places, including bars. And, in September, the town of Westfield adopted a smoking ban that
covers most public places, but excluded taverns that don't allow patrons under 21.
To take
IBJ's unscientific poll on the smoking ban, click here.
on Facebook & Twitter
Back to Top
IBJ Conversations
10 Comments
Add Comment
Bad move Chamber, Im noty alone, you just took money out of your members pockets. I will go to Hamilton county to spend my money.
It's just a metter of time , they will be in our homes telling us what to eat, what to wear and what to THINK.
This is going to cost the members of the Chamber a lot of money. Less money, less taxes.get the picture. Welcome to the Socialist State of Indiana.
ENOUGH GOVERNMENT IN MY LIFE
I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors
But can't we just have an ordinance where if we find people smoking we could just shoot them? We've got smoking out of most place, let's just shoot them and get them out of their misery.
When someone talks about incremental government regulations, this example will come to mind. Liquor is next, then fat people. Get your guns and ammo ready should be a great hunting season.