ANDERSON — A city-wide ban on smoking in most public areas will be considered by the Anderson City Council in the next few months.
Councilman Art Pepelea, R-District 5 and chairman of the Health Committee, reported Thursday at the city council meeting that he and the committee started discussions about such a ban.
So far, the committee has held two meetings, and a third is scheduled for July 2. The group will also sponsor public forums on July 16 and July 23 to get input from city residents.
The draft of the ban, as written, would exempt Hoosier Park racino and taverns. However, restaurants, common areas of apartment buildings and nursing homes, malls, sports arenas and several other locations in the city.
Violators of the ban would be fined up to $50 for the first violation, and all subsequent violations in the same year could cause of fine of between $100 and $500.
“We would like to bring something to you in August,” Pepelea said to the council.
Rodney Chamberlain, D-District 1, who is part of the committee, said he still had to think about whether he could support the ban as drafted for Thursday’s meeting.
“I need to study that,” he said. “I really need to get the facts and figures on a smoking ban. When it comes to a smoking ban, we need to be open-minded about it.”
Pam Jones, D-District 3, also said she would need time to deliberate on the issue before she made a decision about it.
“There are a lot of variables,” she said. “Is it across the board, for everyone? Or are there exemptions, and if so who and why?”
In a previous interview via e-mail, Mayor Kris Ockomon said he would support a smoking ban if it were written correctly.
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