Eric North, Daily Reporter senior staff writer

A measure to prohibit smoking in public places in Greenfield isn’t exactly lighting up a similar movement elsewhere in the county.

Officials in Hancock County’s other communities say they’re leaving the issue to businesses and individuals

“No one has come up to me or asked me anything about it,” said Steve Gipson, president of the Fortville Town Council.

Most local officials interviewed this week said the nature of Greenfield’s commercial growth in recent years makes it an exception in the county. The county’s smaller towns, which have fewer public gathering spots, don’t make them likely battlegrounds for such an issue.

In addition, many restaurants in those towns already are smoke-free.

“If we had more restaurants and places in town that were destinations, then we would probably get a request, but no one has said anything about it,” Gipson said.

Officials in McCordsville, New Palestine and Shirley say they, too, have yet to hear a complaint about smoking in businesses around town.

“I would say that if we got some complaints, we would be open-minded about listening to something,” said Kyle Austin, president of the Shirley Town Council.

One reason Shirley isn’t a likely spot for such an initiative is because of the policy observed at one of its main dining establishments.

“We don’t allow smoking in here and never have,” said Nancy Murray of Murray’s Marketplace.

The cafe and general store with its rustic decor opened in 2000.

“You get a few people who complain and grumble, but they understand and either go outside or wait until they are done,” Murray said.

McCordsville town manager Tonya Galbraith said, “Right now, we only have one restaurant in town, and it has its own smoking section. They have decided on their own to have the two sections.”

Most small communities are doing just that: leaving the decision up to those who run businesses and those who frequent their establishments.

That’s fine with leaders of the county’s tobacco cessation, whose strategy is to wait until they’re approached before offering advice on no-smoking programs.

Greenfield’s ordinance, for example, already was written before anti-smoking advocates found out it would be introduced, says Brandee Bastin, leader of the county’s tobacco initiative.

Some in Greenfield may decide to travel elsewhere for an after-dinner cigarette.

But they won’t be able to enjoy a comfortable smoke in Cumberland, which will be subject to the Marion County smoking ban, which takes effect March. 1

“I get a lot of people in here asking me what I am going to do about (the ban),” said Luke Seros of Seros’ restaurant in Cumberland. “I tell them that it is up the (city-county council) and not me.”

Seros says the ordinance actually put all restaurants on an equal footing.

“After the ban takes effect, we will all be the same. You won’t be able to go down the street to smoke in a restaurant because all of them will be smoke-free,” Seros said.

He added in the end, a ban could make a restaurant owner more money.

“We have a few tables set aside for smokers now,” Seros said. “They will be forced to eat faster and get outside to smoke. It will probably help us turn tables faster.”
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