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N. Ind. county closer to banning smoking in bars

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — A northern Indiana county is one step closer to banning smoking in its bars, restaurants and private clubs.

St. Joseph County's Human Services/Criminal Justice Committee voted 5-2 Wednesday to send the proposed ordinance containing the smoking ban to the full County Council, which will consider the measure at its March 8 meeting.

The South Bend Tribune reports that petitioner Jill Sabo of Tobacco Free St. Joseph County re-introduced the proposal in January after withdrawing an earlier version in November at the suggestion of the council's attorney. Attorney Mike Trippel had recommended that the proposal's language differentiate between indoor and outdoor public places.

Last month, the Indiana House approved a statewide smoking ban, but it includes exemptions for casinos, bars, clubs and even nursing homes.