In a unanimous vote Monday, county commissioners approved a resolution that bans smoking in all public spaces.
The ban, which was proposed by the Tobacco-Free Coalition of Delaware County, will go into effect 30 days after publication.
An hour and 15 minutes of public debate preceded the vote. Arguments from both sides were vehemently spoken by citizens ranging from former state senators to 22-year-old Cody Quinlan.
"I came out because I feel like the youth gets overlooked," Quinlan said.
Commissioner Todd Donati had publicly opposed the ban in previous commissioners meetings but he started off the meeting by saying he would keep an open mind.
He and fellow commissioners approved a ban that would limit smoking in all public spaces, including bars.
The ordinance would also ban smoking within 12 feet of buildings. Violating the new ordinance will result in a fine up to $500.
A ban on electronic cigarettes were also part of the proposed ordinance. This section of the ordinance was removed after a discussion between commissioner Donati and Tobacco-Free Coalition leader Cecilia Williams.
Williams said electronic cigarettes could be harmful because they have not been regulated by the FDA, but county commissioners doubted the risks.
Read more about the county-wide smoking ban in Thursday's edition of the Ball State Daily News.
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