Statewide Smoking Ban May Face More Exemptions

Anti-tobacco forces are more confident than ever that this year's General Assembly will enact a statewide smoking ban, but there will likely be more efforts to weaken the legislation.
Lawmakers who have led the anti-smoking fight for years said they're optimistic because Gov. Mitch Daniels has endorsed the idea, it passed the House and Senate leaders have promised a committee hearing and vote on their bill, RTV6's Norman Cox reported.
"I mean, certainly the governor's support helps. The public is overwhelmingly in support" of the bill to ban smoking in most public places," said Rep. Eric Turner, R-Cicero.
But the problem in the Senate has always been the insistence of some members to add additional exemptions.
The bill already exempts gambling facilities, cigar and hookah bars, and private clubs where members vote to keep smoking and agree to keep out minors.
But some senators want more exemptions.
"I think that there'll be those people that will be offering exemptions probably for the bars that will want to be put in," said Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, the chairman of the Public Policy Committee that will hear the bill. "There's some talk about the charity gaming, the Catholic Church and some of those who files a permit that does the charity gaming for the church, bingo or what have you."
But bars have already been given a delay in their deadline for going smoke-free and advocates said they don't want to go any further than that.
"We have given the bars an additional 18 months to get their house in order," said Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary. "They have an 18-month period in which they can advise, warn or inform all of their patrons that this facility will be smoke-free in 18 months."
House sponsors aren't saying whether putting in a permanent exemption for bars would kill the bill.
"Well, I think it's too early to make that call," Turner said. "We'll be discussing it probably the rest of the session."
House sponsors said if the bill comes back from the Senate weaker than they version the House approved, there may be a battle royal in conference committee.
In Indianapolis, Mayor Greg Ballard has until Friday to decide whether to sign or veto a smoking ban proposal approved by the City-County Council. Spokesman Marc Lotter said Ballard expects to issue a decision later in the week.