SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) – Opponents of a proposal to ban smoking inside bars in South Bend argued it was unfair to those businesses, leading City Council members to table the issue for 60 days.
About 200 people packed the council chambers Monday night for more than two hours of debate over the proposed ban.
Tavern owner Gary Weese says the city ban would cost him business because customers could easily go to bars outside the city limits or in the neighboring city of Mishawaka where smoking would still be allowed.
Councilman Gavin Ferlic argued the smoking ban is aimed at making South Bend a healthier place to work.
Indianapolis and Fort Wayne are among many cities around Indiana that go further than state law to prohibit smoking inside bars.
