INDIANAPOLIS -
There's a new push to expand the city's smoking ban to bars, bowling alleys, hotels and private clubs.
The ordinance introduced to the new Democratic-controlled City-County Council Monday night is very similar to a Republican-sponsored proposal that failed to pass out of committee last month.
One provision in particular could be a deal-breaker. It's the one requiring private clubs, including American Legion and VFW posts to have their members vote on retaining smoking.
If they did, children under 18 would not be allowed on the premises.
At the Ernie Pyle VFW Post 1120 on the city's southside, members aren't happy.
"That would be hard [not to have kids here.] It's a family. All December it was about the kids, the Christmas party, helping the needy families, so that would be hard," said Melody Adams with the Ladies Auxiliary said.
WWII vet Norm Zernicke, who gave up smoking 22 years ago, said smoking has been part of the culture for many years.
"When my children were little whether or not you smoked there was one place to go and that was here," said Zernicke.
Democratic Councilor Angie Mansfield said maybe so, but times have changed.
"Kids can't even buy cigarettes until they're 18, so they shouldn't be in these facilities where smoking is occuring," said Mansfield.
Mansfield said she prefers that smoking be banned at all private clubs, but at the very least if clubs continue to allow smoking, children should not be allowed inside.
"It's about the health issue. It's always been about the health issue and to have children in a smoking area, it doesn't mix and quite frankly it's a deal-breaker for many of us," she said.
Dana Parrott, a Vietnam vet who's never smoked, said it's "an individual decision and a business decision."
As for concerns about second-hand smoke, Parrott said, "Life is cruel. Anything can hurt you in life, so I think it's just another excuse."
Mayor Ballard, who initially supported similar language in Vaughn's proposal, has stepped back some.
Mayoral spokesman Marc Lotter said after Vaughn's proposal was introduced, "It became apparent from the private clubs that would be a problem for them."
Lotter said they didn't like having to choose between allowing smoking or having children at the post.
"One thing we're trying to work with the council on is to see if we can compromise with respect to the clubs having smoking while protecting the health of children," he said.
Even if the ordinance passes the council later this month, there aren't enough votes to override a veto, so the mayor needs to be on board.
Lotter said it was "very unlikely" any new ban would be in place for the Super Bowl. Given council procedures and the paperwork, he said there wasn't enough time.
The new proposal goes to committee next week and if it passes there, it heads to the full council January 30th.
