Indiana Enacts First Statewide Smoking Ban
INDIANAPOLIS (CBS) -- The first statewide smoking ban in Indiana was signed into law by Gov. Mitch Daniels Monday.
As WBBM Newsradio's Pat Cassidy reports, Daniels signed the smoking ban bill and other legislation during a ceremony Monday at his Indiana state house office.
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The smoking ban proposal narrowly cleared the state Senate this month after compromises expanding the number of exemptions were added to the bill over the objections of health advocates.
The ban as passed still comes with far more exemptions than similar law in Illinois.
Bars, casinos, private clubs such as fraternal and veterans' organization, and retail tobacco shops are all exempt under the law.
The statewide law allows the cities and counties around Indiana with even tougher smoking laws to keep those bans in place.
In 2007, Illinois passed a sweeping smoking ban that took effect on Jan. 1 of the following year. The ban includes virtually all indoor areas, including restaurants, bars and workplaces -- as well as within 15 feet of an outside door for a venue where smoking is banned.
There was a move last year to lift the ban for Illinois casinos, on claims that the ban drove gamblers out of state and caused a drop in revenue.
The Indiana ban goes into effect in July.
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