The fight over smoking in Central Indiana starts to heat up again. The City-County Council is about to start debating a new, tougher smoking ban in Marion County.
It is comprehensive and it is far-reaching.
"The only exceptions will be personal residences and company cars where only one person is in the car," said Councilor Angela Mansfield.
Councilors introducing the expanded smoking ban Monday hope it is successful.
"It helps provide us an opportunity to compete with other cities and more and more you see these other large cities like San Diego and Louisville that have gone smoke free and it's just time for us to get there," said Mansfield.
There are specific provisions. No e-cigarettes and no smoking huts out back. Councilors also want people smoking outside a bar at least 25 feet away from any door or window.
Brad Klopfenstein is not only opposed to the ban, he leads a group of more than 150 bar owners willing to fight it.
"The compromise that we had a few years ago that allowed bars that are 21 and over to choose whether or not they allow smoking or ban smoking seems to be a compromise that is working very well. And to now have somebody who wants to come back, revisit this issue and have an across the board policy is a little heavy handed in my opinion," said Klopfenstein of Indy Bar Owners Opposed to the Smoking Ban.
Opinions among the general public are generally mixed.
"I will go to Hamilton County where I live where it's smoking," said Joe Kelly, who opposes the proposal.
"I hate going to a bar and leaving smelling like crap and coughing the next day. I'd like to be able to go to bars and restaurants and not smell like smoke and not have to tolerate that," said Dana Buschouse, who supports the proposal.
The expansion will be introduced Monday, October 5th at 7:00p. It could go up for vote as early as October 22nd.
It is comprehensive and it is far-reaching.
"The only exceptions will be personal residences and company cars where only one person is in the car," said Councilor Angela Mansfield.
Councilors introducing the expanded smoking ban Monday hope it is successful.
"It helps provide us an opportunity to compete with other cities and more and more you see these other large cities like San Diego and Louisville that have gone smoke free and it's just time for us to get there," said Mansfield.
There are specific provisions. No e-cigarettes and no smoking huts out back. Councilors also want people smoking outside a bar at least 25 feet away from any door or window.
Brad Klopfenstein is not only opposed to the ban, he leads a group of more than 150 bar owners willing to fight it.
"The compromise that we had a few years ago that allowed bars that are 21 and over to choose whether or not they allow smoking or ban smoking seems to be a compromise that is working very well. And to now have somebody who wants to come back, revisit this issue and have an across the board policy is a little heavy handed in my opinion," said Klopfenstein of Indy Bar Owners Opposed to the Smoking Ban.
Opinions among the general public are generally mixed.
"I will go to Hamilton County where I live where it's smoking," said Joe Kelly, who opposes the proposal.
"I hate going to a bar and leaving smelling like crap and coughing the next day. I'd like to be able to go to bars and restaurants and not smell like smoke and not have to tolerate that," said Dana Buschouse, who supports the proposal.
The expansion will be introduced Monday, October 5th at 7:00p. It could go up for vote as early as October 22nd.
