City-County Council Republican to propose tougher smoking ban
The Republican president of the City-County Council in Indianapolis says his party plans to introduce an expanded smoking ban that would take effect before the Super Bowl.
Smoking Ban
Articles
Smoking ban in Delaware County bars, clubs upheld
Delaware Circuit Judge Marianne Vorhees denied a request to block an enhanced smoking ordinance passed by Delaware County commissioners in August.
Q&A
The adult smoking rate in Indiana dropped to 21.2 percent last year, a major reduction from the 27 percent rate logged five years ago. Karla Sneegas, assistant commissioner of the State Health Department’s Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission, discussed the progress, as well as her agency’s efforts to help employers help their workers quit smoking.
State’s top anti-smoking agency could be abolished
Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation, formed in 2001 and funded by money from a settlement with the tobacco industry, may be consolidated into the state Department of Health as a budget-cutting measure.
Indiana’s anti-tobacco agency’s first decade mixed
Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation officials acknowledge they still have work to do in a state that in 2008 had the nation's highest smoking rate and still has more than 1 million smokers.
Indiana Senate panel votes down proposed smoking ban
The Senate Public Policy Committee voted 8-1 Wednesday against the bill that had exemptions for casinos, bars, fraternal clubs, smoke shops and nursing homes.
Fate up in air for proposed Indiana smoking ban
The fate of a proposed statewide smoking ban in the state Legislature is uncertain, with anti-smoking advocates keeping up their push for restrictions that are tougher than some lawmakers think can win approval.
Indiana Senate panel sets vote on smoking ban
The Senate Public Policy Committee is expected to vote on the bill Wednesday. Amendments won't be allowed to the bill that currently includes exemptions for casinos, bars, fraternal clubs, smoke shops and nursing homes.
Indiana Senate panel may vote on smoking ban after all
Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, the chairman of an Indiana Senate committee, said he might call for a vote on the proposal at the Senate Public Policy Committee's April 6 meeting, but that he likely wouldn't allow any amendments.
Illinois House votes to lift smoking ban at casinos
Tom Swoik, executive director of Illinois Casino Gaming Association, said gambling revenue has dropped 32 percent since the state’s smoking ban was approved. He said the ban has cost state government about $800 million in taxes.
Smoking bill needs exemptions to survive Senate
Health advocates will have to live with wide exemptions in a proposed statewide smoking ban because a stricter, more comprehensive ban wouldn't be able to pass the conservative Senate, the head of a Senate committee said.
IU study: Smoking ban doesn’t harm gambling venues
Indiana University researchers say there is no economic incentive for lawmakers to exclude off-track betting facilities from a smoking ban under consideration in the Indiana Legislature.
EDITORIAL: Indianapolis doesn’t need ‘ashtray’ label
Boosters want to keep building on the city’s progress, educating visitors and residents alike about all that Indiana has to offer. But we’re running the risk of losing our shine in a cloud of smoke.
Smoking concerns cloud city’s hosting of Big Ten tourney
A group of Michigan State University alumni are upset that their school is paired with the Slippery Noodle Inn, a smoking establishment, in a city promotion that matches Big Ten universities with downtown bars and restaurants during the men’s basketball tournament.
Indiana House OKs smoking ban with bars exempted
The Republican-led House voted 68-31 Monday to approve the bill, which now moves to the GOP-controlled Senate for consideration.
State House exempts bars from smoking ban bill
Casinos were already exempt from the proposal, but on Monday the House voted 56-33 to also exempt bars that don't allow anyone under age 21 to enter.
HETRICK: From Indiana and Tucson, a tale of two tragedies
The biggest killer of all—cigarette smoke—knocks off 450,000 Americans a year—400,000 of those smokers themselves, 50,000 innocent bystanders.
EDITORIAL: Time for mayor to clear the air, back smoking ban
Another year, another parade of editorials, opinion pieces and studies that call for Indiana to join its neighbors in banning smoking in all workplaces.
Statewide smoking ban bill clears House committee
The Indiana House Public Health Committee voted 9-3 to endorse the bill prohibiting smoking in public places and indoor work sites—after it exempted casinos and pari-mutuel horse tracks from the ban.
Legislators to debate bans on smoking, mobile phones
Lawmakers who want to ban smoking statewide and prohibit drivers from using handheld mobile phones have worked for years to sway opponents who denounce the bans as too much government intrusion. Now supporters say those arguments may be diminishing.