2 South Bend council members propose smoking bans

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The city of South Bend may not be Indiana’s largest city that allows smoking in its restaurants and bars for much longer.

WSBT-TV reports that two city council members have filed bills that would prevent people from lighting up in public places in the northern Indiana city. The council is expected to take up the proposals Monday.

St. Joseph County, which includes South Bend, has had an ordinance for six years allowing smoking in bars and in separate rooms of restaurants. But under the proposals, smoking at bars would no longer be permitted.

A new smoking ban took effect in Indianapolis on June 1. And a statewide smoking ban that exempts bars, casinos, retail tobacco shops and private clubs goes into effect July 1.