Mary Milz/Eyewitness News
Marion County - An expanded smoking ban in Indianapolis faces a tough fight Monday night.
With smokers standing just a few yards away, Smoke-Free Indy representatives carted out letters and people in favor of expanding the city's smoking ban to bars, clubs and bowling alleys.
"I would wake up coughing with my voice gone," said Lauren Koors, who left one bar job for another because she couldn't take the smoke. "I think my job is worth protecting as much as City-County employees who don't have to inhale smoke during their work hours."
There was little swaying nearby opponents.
"If you know where people are smoking don't go there," said Rick Bray, Indianapolis.
"Sometimes I feel just because I smoke and they they say I'm infringing on their rights - Well, what about mine?" said Derrick Smith, Indianapolis.
Still, Smoke-Free sought to sway Mayor Greg Ballard by delivering hundreds of letters to his office. The mayor has said even if the council amends the ban, he'll veto it. His spokesman says nothing's changed.
"I think the mayor has made it very clear that despite the efforts and the passion of the folks who are in favor of an expansion of the smoking ban, that the mayor does not support that, but he has given due credit to the people of good faith who are passionate on this issue. We have a current smoking ban. It supports the market. It allows choice. I think that's where the mayor is on the issue," said Robert Vane.
"It's very frustrating," said Danielle Patterson, American Heart Association. "When you look at the evidence, when you look at the reports that have come out, when you look at the other cities that have certainly taken the lead to move to a smoke-free community, it is very frustrating when you have our own leadership saying that we're not ready for this."
Sponsors who are still lobbying for votes may send the proposal back to committee.
Smoke-Free Indy says while they'd rather see the council vote on the ban now, they are willing to wait.
"If it takes a little time we'd rather do it right than wrong and quickly," said Patterson.
The proposal is expected to be sent to a council committee. The expanded ban would need 15 votes to pass, and supporters are still a few votes shy of that mark.
Smoke-Free Indy members brought over 700 letters in support of the expanded ban to the mayor's office Monday.
Mayor's spokesman Robert Vane says the mayor's position has not changed.
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