City-County Council panel approves smoking ban

A City-County Council panel on Tuesday moved an expanded smoking ban covering most bars a step closer to reality in Indianapolis.

The bipartisan measure, endorsed 6-2 by the Rules and Public Policy Committee, contains a carefully worded exemption for nonprofit private clubs and veterans halls. It's aimed at winning Mayor Greg Ballard's approval.

The committee defeated a proposed amendment that would have allowed use of electronic cigarettes where smoking is banned. It added an exemption for the Downtown Indianapolis off-track betting parlor.

Passage by the full council is expected April 16.

Its approval and the mayor's signature would expand Indianapolis' existing smoking ban beyond the bounds of a recently enacted statewide ban, which exempts bars.

"Doing this is critical for the future of health in our city," said John Barth, an at-large Democrat and co-sponsor.

Ballard, a Republican, has wrangled with the council for months, culminating in a mayoral veto in February of a measure that passed the Democratic- majority council 19-9.

He took issue with the wording of the private clubs exemption. It would have required private clubs and veterans halls that allow smoking to keep children off their premises, a choice he argued was unfair.

So for the latest version, Democrats removed the restriction on children in clubs.

It helped that the statewide ban, which takes effect July 1, requires clubs to keep children out of smoking areas.

Ballard's spokesman has said the council proposal appears to meet the mayor's standard.

"This tonight represents a victory for the mayor," said Brian Mahern, the Democratic committee chairman, before reluctantly voting in favor. "It also represents a loss for children."

Besides clubs, the measure would exempt retail tobacco shops and existing cigar and hookah bars. It would add bars, bowling alleys, hotel rooms and other places to Indianapolis' 2005 smoking ban. Any new ban wouldn't apply to Speedway, Southport, Lawrence or Beech Grove.

Several bar owners spoke against the proposal Tuesday, while health and anti-smoking advocates urged passage.

The most spirited discussion was over e-cigarettes, which emit nicotine-laced vapor. Users said they're harmless to bystanders, but anti-smoking advocates said too much still was unknown about potential risks.

A statement issued by Greg Conley, legal director of Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives, which supports the use of e-cigarettes, said the committee "relied on inaccurate and misleading information."