Kokomo workplaces to be smoke-free as of Oct. 6

Unless you work at a bar or a private club, a smoking ban is coming to your Kokomo workplace Oct. 6.

Mayor Matt McKillip signed the recently passed smoking ban ordinance Wednesday, starting a 30-day countdown.

Kokomo businesses now have a month-long window to get ready for the new regulations.

With a few exceptions, the ban will force smokers outside at Kokomo's restaurants and workplaces, including such major employers as Delphi Electronics Systems, DaimlerChrysler and Haynes International.

"It sets a tone that we are a progressive city, and it tells businesses that might locate here that we want to lower the high health care costs created by smoking, and that we care about our non-smokers breathing second-hand smoke," McKillip said after signing the ordinance in City Hall's atrium.

McKillip credited Smoke Free Kokomo, a locally and state-funded coalition of anti-smoking advocates, for its work toward the new law's passage.

"This would not have become legislation if it were not for the hard work of Smoke Free Kokomo and the hospitals," he said. "This is clearly a big economic development win for our city, and I thank the [Kokomo Common] Council for passing the legislation."

Joining the mayor at the formal signing ceremony were members of Smoke Free Kokomo, a representative from Howard Regional Health System, and several city officials, including members of the Kokomo Fire Department.

"This is a really big day for us," said Joy Edwards, a spokeswoman for the coalition. "It's been a lot of work to get here."

Although the mayor signed the ordinance, he said he was concerned that it could negatively impact some locally owned businesses, mentioning Ned's Corner Pub and Martino's Italian Villa in particular.

During deliberations on the smoking ban, the council amended the original draft to exempt bars and private clubs.

However, restaurants which combine "over 21" smoking/bar areas and non-smoking family dining areas will have to decide whether to make the entire building smoke-free, or to allow smoking and not allow anyone under age 21 in the establishment.

"These businesses have a distinctly separated bar on one side, but they now have to make a hard choice," McKillip said. "I would like to see either the amendment taken out, or see these types of businesses addressed, where they would be allowed to have smoking in a bar in one closed-off area, and to be smoke-free in the family dining area."

He said he asked an attorney to look into how the ordinance might be amended to allow certain establishments to have separate bar and family dining areas.

Smoke Free Kokomo spokeswoman Lorene Sandifur said the coalition has consistently been against allowing restaurants to divide into distinct smoking and non-smoking areas.

She cited a recent Surgeon General report which claims such arrangements don't protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke.

A change of heart

During his remarks at the signing ceremony, McKillip acknowledged his former opposition to a citywide smoking ban.

During the 2003 mayoral campaign, McKillip said that although he agrees second-hand smoke is a health risk, he would not support an ordinance to force the matter with local businesses. He said his administration would encourage businesses to voluntarily separate smoking and non-smoking areas.

He still held that opinion shortly after taking office.

"I'm not interested in changing the law," McKillip said in January 2004. "I don't believe that's an area where city government needs to focus its resources."

Instead, the coalition would do better to focus on persuading local business owners to make that choice on their own, McKillip said at the time.

"I think that's the right approach, not banning or outlawing things," McKillip said. "Too often, people don't express their desires enough. If they did, the marketplace would take care of it."

Wednesday, McKillip said he began to have a change of heart on the subject last year.

"Second-hand smoke and first-hand smoking has affected my family," he said, adding that his father passed away from smoking-related cancer almost 10 years ago to the day.