Fishers businesses prepare for state's smoking ban - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Indiana's statewide smoking ban goes into effect on Sunday, banning smoking at most public places including restaurants, bowling alleys and hotel rooms.

While Indianapolis has had smoking restrictions over the past few years, the state law is the first for many other cities, including Fishers.

While Fishers bans smoking on town property, it's never banned smoking at public establishments. Though many have gone smoke-free voluntarily, the new state law makes it mandatory for many businesses.

The Nickel Plate Bar and Grill is among those preparing for a change in policy.

Hostess Susie Jacobsen, used to asking patrons, "Smoking or non-smoking?" will no longer ask that question come Sunday. Signs on the door and in the bar notify patrons that the establishment is going smoke-free July 1.

Jacobsen, a smoker, is not a fan of the new law.

"I'm against it, because it's still my right to decide if I want to smoke or not. The government shouldn't be telling me," she said.

Restaurant manager Bob Pollock feels differently.

"It's a good thing for us, because people who are regulars understand it's what's coming, it's the norm," Pollock said. "I think a lot of people will appreciate that you can sit anywhere in the restaurant and not be bothered by smoke."

Several smokers said they'd become resigned to the change.

"I can't smoke at work anyway, so it's just one less place and I actually smoke less now, so it's not a bad thing," Eric Hodges said.

"It doesn't bother me to go outside if I need to, but I don't smoke that much, so it's a good time to quit," said Kelly Orff.

Asked if the law was prompting that, Orff said, "No, it's not just the law, but the health of my child and other reasons. It's expensive."

Restaurants wanting to continue to allow smoking must, like bars, adopt a 21-and-older only policy. Sahm's Restaurant on 96th Street in Fishers is doing just that, the only one of the eight Sahm's in the metro area to do so. It means children will no longer be allowed in as of Sunday.

"Because we do allow smoking already, we don't have a large amount of family business, so it was purely a business decision to stay smoking at this point," said

general manager Aaron Jensen.

Bowling alleys are also required to ban smoking. Coopers Stardust Bowl in Noblesville did so May 1 in advance of the law, but Sunday, its bar goes smoke-free too. It has to, because it's connected to the bowling center.

Manager Terrie Salatin said she wasn't too worried.

"Bowling is a family-oriented business," Salatin said. "People can still step outside if they have to and we don't think it will deter that many people."

But smokers will have to be at least eight feet from any entrance, another change starting statewide Sunday.

The new law also affects private clubs and fraternal organizations. To retain smoking, the membership will need to vote in favor of it and if they do so, they'll have to provide separate non-smoking areas.