Am I Missing Something Here?
Monday night the Indianapolis City-County Council may vote on a tougher smoking ban for the city. I say “may” because as I write this post this morning there is some serious question as to whether either side has enough votes for a clear victory or whether the matter will be delayed for another meeting or tabled indefinitely.
You all know my position on the current proposal, I think it’s unnecessary because the current compromise reached back in 2005 works fine. Less than 1% of the 40,000 odd businesses in Marion County allow smoking and two-thirds of the places that serve alcohol are non-smoking. There are ample choices for individuals to work or customers to patronize an establishment that is smoke free. No one is forced to worked in a smoking environment and many of those who do already smoke.
So with all that said, my big question regarding this entire process is “why”? I consider myself pretty connected into the pulse of this community and of all the issues I hear about, this one has been nowhere on any average citizen’s radar screen. The subject never comes up at the Mayor’s town hall meetings. And with the exception of local advocates I seriously doubt most people care whether a bar is smoking or non-smoking if they have a place to go that fits their needs.
So what’s the need? My journalist counterparts say Indianapolis should “join other progressive” cities and ban smoking in public places. I consider myself pretty progressive, and there’s nothing progressive about taking choices away from adults who are perfectly capable of reaching those decisions on their own.
I for one will be glad when this issue is over and done with, although I doubt it will happen Monday. Regardless, right after the Council meeting I’m walking from the city-county building over to Nikki Blaine’s Cigar Lounge, lighting up a $20 cigar and wonder what the fuss is all about. Feel free to exercise your right to choose and join me.
