After blocking a similar proposal from going to a vote in 2012, the South Bend Common Council is once again looking at implementing a sweeping smoking ban in the city of just more than 100,000 residents. Four of the nine members, Gavin Ferlic, Fred Ferlic, Valerie Schey and Tim Scott are leading the push to revisit a ban, though Gavin Frelic acknowledged that it would be an uphill battle, telling WNDU that he wasn’t “overly confident.” A primary source of opposition comes from bars, who along with any indoor business including private clubs would be subject to the ban. Councilman Derek Dieter acknowledged the health concerns that are driving the proposal, but said that he didn’t think it was the council’s place to tell businesses whether or not they can allow smoking or not. The proposal is scheduled to have its first reading on Monday, April 28, with a vote coming as early as May. If passed, the ordinance would go into effect 60 days after passage, meaning a mid-July implementation date.
↧