Smoking Ban Update
Summer 2005

Approving a controversial smoking ban on Monday, May 23, 2005, officials have now grouped Indianapolis with many other cities nationwide that regulate smoking.

The smoking ban issue is one that has exploded into legislature nationwide within the past few years. Nationally, 23 percent of the population is smokers. In Indiana, this percentage is higher, with 26 percent of Hoosiers smoking regularly.

With rates like that, it is not surprising that governments are trying to control smoking. Presently, nearly 2,000 communities in the nation regulate smoking, almost 200 of them banning smoking entirely in restaurants and bars, according to a California-based anti-smoking group.

The argument is clear: non smokers wish to be protected against the dangers of second hand smoke, while smokers feel they have a right to smoke wherever they choose. Both parties feel an infringement on their civil liberties, making the decision to regulate even more difficult for legislatures.

That decision has been made for Indianapolis. Effective March 1, 2006, the Indianapolis City-County Council is now endorsing a plan to completely prohibit smoking in workplaces, most restaurants and some bars.

However, these are not the only public places to be affected by the ban. Laundromats, lobbies, restrooms, taxis, elevators and more will also be smoke free. The punishment for violation of this new regulation is a $100 fine.

Restaurants and bars that prohibit customers under the age of 18 are excused from this ban. Other facilities that are presently not covered under the ban include private clubs, cigars bars, retail tobacco stores, designated hotel smoking rooms and family-owned businesses in which all employees are related and the business is closed to the public. Bowling centers are also excluded from this ban.

To avoid the new regulations, many places are considering becoming 18-and-older. This puts the bowling centers in central Indiana in a difficult position. Not presently covered by the ban, but not wanting to discourage supporters of the ban and further the unhealthy image non smokers may have of bowling centers, members of the Central Indiana Bowling Centers Association (CIBCA) had a decision to make.

At a June 7 meeting, most CIBCA members decided to act in accordance with new smoking regulations. By supporting the Indianapolis smoking initiative, these centers will only be allowing smoking in lounge areas where only customers ages 21 years and older are allowed.

CIBCA member centers will also be partnering with the Marion County Health Department, offering smoking cessation classes.

Other cities currently regulating smoking in public places include Fort Wayne and Bloomington. For centers in other cities, there are many available approaches to the smoking issue. Centers may be proactive and enforce their own smoking regulations, without requirement by law. Or, centers may also wish to consider offering cessation classes.    

Cessation information is available by visiting www.smokefree.gov or http://ctcinfo.org.

For more information regarding laws against smoking in your city, visit www.in.gov or contact your local officials.