Committee Snuffs Out Smoking Ban Proposal

INDIANAPOLIS -- A proposal that would have banned smoking in many public spaces in Indianapolis appeared to have been snuffed out before reaching the City-County Council.

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Supporter: We Will Win The War

The city's Rules and Public Policy Committee voted 5-2 Tuesday not to forward the proposal to the full council, likely extinguishing its chances until next year.

Councilwoman Beulah Coughenour, the proposal's sponsor, said she still may ask the full council to consider it at a meeting Monday. But supporters conceded it was unlikely the council would override the committee's recommendation.

"We may have lost the battle but we will win the war ... I hope next year," said Paul Messplay, who delivered petitions with more than 5,000 signatures supporting the proposal. About 150 supporters attended the committee's debate.

Committee Chairman Bob Massie urged supporters to forge a compromise that the council could adopt.

"From a legal prospective, I think there are problems with this ordinance," Councilwoman Karen Horseman said in explaining her opposition to the proposal.

Coughenour initially sought to restrict smoking in virtually all workplaces, but she narrowed the ban's scope in recent months, offering exemptions for bars, off-track betting parlors, outdoor dining patios and certain other areas.

"There will never be a consensus between smokers and non-smokers, because smokers somehow think there's a constitutional right to pollute the air," Coughenour said during the meeting. "I haven't heard any argument here tonight that makes a lot of sense to me."

Supporters advocated the ban as a way to protect people's health from secondhand smoke, but the proposal drew opposition from the owners of restaurants and bars who say it would hurt their business.

Similar bans have been passed in New York City and California.