Bars, restaurants and other public workplaces might become smoke-free soon, if the Tobacco-Free Coalition of Delaware County is able to get county officials to pass one of its two non-smoking ordinances.
In the past, two non-smoking ordinances have been proposed and rejected. This time around, however, the Delaware County Board of Health has endorsed two proposals that were brought to their April meeting by the coalition.
A date has not been set for the formal proposals to be presented or voted on, but both ordinances have been passed on to the County Commissioners, who requested that the Tobacco-Free Coalition spend more time discussing the potential ordinances with county residents. Tobacco-Free Coalition chairwoman Cheryl Matthews encourages people to attend their town council meetings to learn more about the proposals.
The preferred ordinance, according to Matthews, would outlaw smoking in all public workplaces, including restaurants and bars. The second proposal is similar, but it would allow smoking in stand-alone bars, where the primary services cater to individuals over 21. Both plans stipulate that smoking outside of public places must be at least 25-feet from the entrances and exits.
"We hope to keep the focus on the health of those who don't smoke," Matthews said.
The Delaware County community has thus far shown little resistance to the current proposals, but the Tavern Owners Association has expressed concern about the economic impacts a smoking ban could bring, Matthews said. However, contrary to what many business owners fear, businesses generally tend to improve business or maintain a steady rate of success even when non-smoking ordinances are enforced, she said.
While some counties across the state have ordinances similar to the one proposed for Delaware County, they have not been in effect long enough to gauge what the outcomes might be here, Matthews said.
Brad Smith, manager of CJ's Neighborhood Sports Bar in Muncie, is not worried about the effects of the proposed ban, but he dislikes the idea of an ordinance that regulates a personal habit.
"As a smoker, I don't like it, but as a restaurant manager, I'm ok with it," said Smith. "People will still eat and drink. I don't see how it could hurt our business."
Ball State student Matt Miller, who is also a smoker, agrees and says he would not overlook an establishment simply because it prohibits smoking.
"It's my choice to smoke or not to smoke. If I was a nonsmoker, it wouldn't be fair for me to have to sit around people who were smoking," Miller said.
However, local police officer Kris Bilbrey feels that not only will businesses be negatively affected, but that an ordinance of this type will also be difficult to enforce.
"If 10 times a night we're running to restaurants and bars for smoking complaints, that's taking manpower away from other, more serious crimes," said Bilbrey. "On the whole, it may not be taken as seriously at first because it will be a difficult transition for everyone."
That transition is not impossible, though, as other areas in the state have proved. In Fort Wayne, smoking in restaurants is banned, and in Bloomington all public places are smoke-free, including bars and private clubs.
In March of 2006, Indianapolis will adopt a non-smoking ordinance that will include restaurants and public areas. However, certain facilities may be exempt from the ban if specific criteria are met.
In order to be exempt from the Indianapolis ordinance, an establishment must hold an alcohol retailer permit, only allow customers and employees who are 18 and older to enter and not be located within another business that is required to be smoke-free. The establishment also cannot be a restaurant with food service as the primary purpose.
If an ordinance is passed for Muncie, some centrally located campus businesses that may be affected include Scotty's Brewhouse, Dill Street Bar and Grill, The Bird, The Chug and MoTini's. Further from campus, restaurants such as Puerto Vallarta Mexican Restaurant and Cantina, Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar, Texas Roadhouse and Olive Garden Italian Restaurant could be affected by such an ordinance.
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