SOUTH BEND — Supporters of a comprehensive smoke-free air ordinance vowed to keep fighting Monday after the Common Council rejected a bill expanding the statewide smoking ban here to include bars and taverns.
The vote was 5-4, with council members Tim Scott, Gavin Ferlic, Fred Ferlic and Karen White favoring the ban.
“Of course we’re disappointed … (but) we regroup and we continue to educate the community and we continue to educate the council and council leadership and try again,” said Karl Nichols, a spokesperson for Smoke Free St. Joe.
Asked whether he believes this particular council will ever pass a smoke-free air ordinance, Nichols said, “I believe some of the council people are close to changing their stance, and we need to continue to educate them. However, if an election changes things in our favor, I won’t be against that either.”
Council member Valerie Schey, one of the original sponsors of the bill, cast the deciding vote Monday. Schey pulled her sponsorship late last week after speaking to bar and tavern owners, who expressed concerns about the effect of the proposed ban on business.
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