Indy Will Be Smoke-Free At Last!
April 20, 2012
The years-long effort to make Indianapolis smoke-free has finally succeeded. After a long campaign by health advocates, civic leaders and public officials – and multiple votes by the City-County Council – Mayor Greg Ballard has signed a new ordinance that will make all restaurants and bars and most other workplaces smoke-free.
The mayor announced his decision on Twitter last night:
Until now, Indianapolis had been the largest city without a smoke-free law that includes restaurants and bars. The new ordinance, which takes effect June 1, will protect all Indianapolis workers and residents from secondhand smoke, which causes cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses.
Nationwide, 29 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and more than 650 cities have laws requiring smoke-free restaurants and bars. As Indianapolis officials have recognized, no one should have to put their health at risk in order to earn a paycheck or enjoy a night out.