Bars, Customers Decry Proposed Smoking Ban

INDIANAPOLIS -- The days of lighting up could be numbered inside Indianapolis bars, pending the outcome of an upcoming City-County Council vote on a toughened smoking ban.

The council is set to take up the strengthened ordinance at a Monday night meeting, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

Bars, such as the Sugar Shack Saloon on the city's east side, have had their customers sign petitions that contend they are trying to "protect their rights."

"It will put a big hurt on us," said Bev Stauffer, of the saloon. "We've got like probably 98 percent of our business is smoking."

The ban would make smoking illegal in virtually every Marion County business.

A coalition of bar owners and those against the proposal spoke out Monday on their "Save Indianapolis Bars" effort.

"We shouldn't be picking on small business people who are just trying to serve their customers," said Brad Klopfenstein, of Save Indianapolis Bars.

If the proposal passes, smokers will be barred from lighting up within 25 feet of a business entrance, which would relegate them to parking lots.

Smoke-Free Indy and Councilman Ben Hunter, who sponsored the ordinance, said the comprehensive smoking ban would protect customers and workers from second-hand smoke.

"I guess I'll probably end up having to be at home more, because I like to have a cold beer and cigarette," said bar customer Dan Marchino. "I guess I'll have to sit at home."

Dan Ryan, who owns the Harvester Bar and Grill, said he and other bars might be forced out of business if the ban passes.

"I believe it's a freedom of choice, and people ought to be able to choose if they want to go in some place or not," said Dan Ryan, owner of the Harvester Bar and Grill. "It's not up to the government to make that choice for us."

There are a couple of exceptions in the proposed ordinance that exempt two cigar bars and two Hookah bars, which are places where people share tobacco.

If the ordinance is passed, it will go into effect before the end of the year. It appears that the outcome could go either way.