Franklin - A ban on all indoor smoking in Franklin takes effect Monday.

Last month, the city council tightened up an earlier ban that was challenged by restaurants and bars to ban all smoking, including public places and private clubs.

"With this deal going through on no smoking, it's just going to kill downtown," said Bob Latour as he enjoyed a cigarette and a beer with friends at the Courthouse Saloon in downtown Franklin. "I mean, there's no place else to go in this town on a Sunday except the bars."

Around the corner, at The Willard, owner Bob Schofield sat at the bar with a pack of Marlboros and an ashtray in front of him.

"I don't think they'll quit coming altogether. We offer a lot more here than a place to smoke," said Schofield as diners filled tables inside the Civil War era building and out on his patio. "Since it was a Franklin ordinance, if a person really wants to go to a bar and sIt and have a beer and a cigarette, they only have to drive ten minutes. They go to Whiteland or Bargersville or Shelbyville or even down to Columbus."

While some bar owners fear a loss of business, at least one smoker said the tougher ban could bring more customers to Franklin.

"I think we'll bring a lot more healthier people in," said Isaiah Perry as he and his girlfriend walked downtown streets and smoked. "If we can start one small town here cleaning it up like that, I think we can maybe do some good in some other places as well."

A lawsuit against the city's earlier ban, filed by Don & Donna's restaurant, is still pending.