Anti-smoking lobbyists’ hopes of a smoke-free Super Bowl next February were dashed yesterday when the Indianapolis and Marion County City-County Council voted 6 – 2 against removing exemptions to its existing ban.
The defeated bill was a compromise proposal that would have reduced the number of smoker-friendly venues from 350 to 60, while retaining its exemptions for hookah bars, cigar bars and private clubs. It was this last compromise, to exempt private clubs, that was a step too far for pro-ban supporters.
I was thrown a curve-ball with the proposal to allow smoking rooms in the private clubs… That had not been discussed in advance. I was completely taken by surprise with it, and it also significantly weakened it.
Rather than approve a watered-down law, and in the hope of resurrecting a strengthened bill at a later date, ban-supporters voted along with opponents. However, Mayor Greg Ballard is thought unlikely to sign off any law stronger than the one proposed yesterday.
Whatever happens, it looks like the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl will still be welcoming smokers – and their money!