A judge has upheld a central Indiana county's smoking ban that prohibits lighting up in taverns and fraternal organizations.
Tavern owners in Muncie maintain that their profits have dropped sharply since the new ordinance went into effect in August, but Delaware County Judge Marianne Vorhees ruled Wednesday that impact was an "economic judgment call" for the county commissioners to continue.
The judge wrote that she couldn't strike down an ordinance just because it results in economic hardship for certain businesses.
Tavern owners association attorney Bruce Munson tells The Star Press that he expects an appeal of the decision.
The county's new smoking ban follows one enacted in 2006 that excluded taverns and fraternal lodges.
Please enable JavaScript to view this content.