By Gary Pethe, Truth Staff
SOUTH BEND -- The St. Joseph County Council Tuesday night approved a controversial measure that prohibits smoking in many venues used by the public.
A standing-room-only crowd gathered in the council chambers at the County City Building, South Bend, for the public hearing and council vote.
Council members heard numerous county residents and business owners voice their opinions on the proposed ban. The ordinance was introduced last July and has been revised several times since then.
Earlier Tuesday, council member Dale Devon of Granger, co-author of the ordinance, told The Truth he felt the ordinance needed a few more changes, primarily to exclude private businesses from the smoking ban.
"Many people seem to be in favor of eliminating smoking in restaurants," Devon said. "But when it comes to businesses -- especially smaller, family-owned ones -- it's a different story. Those private business owners and their employees don't like being told what they can or cannot do in their own buildings."
The ordinance passed as written, though, with one amendment.
Diverse pro-ordinance speakers ranged from individual parents to representatives of community organizations. A bevy of health-care professionals, including Alan Snell, M.D., a family practice physician at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, cited the harmful effects of smoking and secondhand smoke. They also noted the growing financial burden for individuals and the health-care industry caused by smoking.
A contingent of speakers opposing the ordinance focused on the issue of personal rights and government's intrusion into everyday life. Others, including local restaurant owner Larry Wolf, doubted the St. Joseph County Health Department has the personnel and funds to enforce the ordinance.
A representative of the American Cancer Society stated the organization couldn't support the measure because it has too many compromises, and that only a total ban would work.
The measure passed by county council members prohibits smoking in many areas used by the public.
Typical venues include restaurants (except those restricting patrons to 18 years old and older), buses, public transportation depots and waiting areas, taxicabs, sports arenas, health-care facilities, bowling alleys, parks and recreation areas, and not-for-profit private clubs.