Smoke Free Indy held a town hall forum on February 9 at the Glendale branch of the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library. The meeting, to describe the smoke free ordinance (#44) that takes effect on March 1, was hosted by the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce. Mark Fisher, business advocacy manager for the Chamber, introduced City-County Council members Angela Mansfield and Greg Bowes. "Many of you know that we wanted something much more comprehensive [in the ordinance]," explained Councilor Mansfield, "but, in the world of politics, that's not always what you get. Some of the exceptions in the ordinance kind of take people by surprise. The bottom line is, [compromises like that are] what it took to get this passed. This is the first time that Indianapolis has a smoke-free air ordinance. As a little girl who used to run around hiding ashtrays, I think it is kind of exciting." It was mentioned that in other cities with smoke-free ordinances, such as those in Florida and California, restaurant business increased after the ordinances took effect.

"It really was important to have the Chamber of Commerce involved in this," said Councilman Bowes. "I think we would have been immediately unsuccessful if they hadn't participated and kept the debate going from that side of our community. I went to an event last night where they had a big function and there was a meeting hall with food service and a bar off to the side with double doors. There was only smoking in the bar. And here we were out in the big meeting room where no one was smoking. When I got home, my wife asked 'Where have you been?' (his clothes smelled smoky). It reminded me of the long hard debate we had about 'lets try to have separate rooms [for smoking and non-smoking in the same facility], that will protect us.' I am proud of the work we did and the insistence that we not have separate rooms like that, because it really doesn't do the job. I am happy with the bill we ended up with."

City-County general ordinance number 44 is available on the Smoke Free Indy website. Article II calls for the prohibition of smoking in public places, including elevators, landromats, lobbies, hallways, city buses and taxicabs, shopping malls, and sports areas. Smoking is also prohibited in all enclosed areas of places of employment. Some exceptions are hotel and motel rooms that are designated as smoking rooms, tobacco stores, bowling alleys, fraternal clubs, and bars or taverns.

A major impact on families with young children is that restaurants with bars have to choose between allowing patrons to smoke in the bar area, or allowing customers (and employees) under the age of 18. Some previously family-friendly restaurants will change to allow patrons to smoke. This is a difficult decision for many restaurant owners. Some Broad Ripple restaurateurs had not yet decided by press time.

One owner in attendance at the town meeting explained his complicated issue. The owner of Kona Jack's, Daddy Jack's, and Après Jack's, all located at 96th and Meridian Street, said that Kona Jack's has been a non-smoking family restaurant since 1992. Après Jack's, located next door, includes a cigar bar. Under the new ordinance, all three 'Jacks' would have to choose the same designation - either non-smoking or smoking with under 18 not allowed. To comply could be costly - requiring new corporations to be established for separate ownership and remodeling to close off kitchen passageways between the Jacks. It is this editor's opinion that businesses such as this should be able to ask for a waiver.

The result of our phone survey of Broad Ripple is that at least seven restaurants that were previously family-friendly are switching to smoking, and eight that previously allowed smoking are becoming smoke-free. Those becoming smoking establishments include Buffalo Wild Wings, Chumley's Grill, Cornerstone Cafe, The Jazz Cooker, The Midtown Grill, Moe & Johnny's, and Plump's Last Shot. Those becoming smoke-free include Binkley's Kitchen & Bar, The Broad Ripple Brew Pub, Dick's Bodacious BBQ, La Jolla, Mama Carolla's, Mezza Luna Ristorante, The Parthenon, and The Union Jack Pub.

A stipulation of becoming a smoke-free establishment is that all ashtrays and smoking paraphernalia must be removed. Smoke Free Indy is looking for artists who could create sculptures and other art with these excess ashtrays. Establishments with ashtrays to donate and interested artists can contact Tim Harmon at (317) 627-0498.