NEWS 25 WEHT Evansville, Henderson, OwensboroCity Council To Vote On Changes to Smoking Ordinance

City Council To Vote On Changes to Smoking Ordinance

story by Courtney Gousman

EVANSVILLE - Come Monday, Evansville's City Council will be deciding whether or not to move forward with more changes to the city's smoking ordinance.

Right now, bars and restaurants are exempt from the current ordinance passed in 2006, but the new rules could change that.

The Councilman behind these proposed changes says Evansville's current smoking ordinance is just not good enough.      

It's lunchtime at Peephole Bar and Grill where the regulars enjoy hamburgers and a cigarette. 

A proposed amendment set to go before City Council Monday could make smoking at the Main Street establishment, a thing of the past.

"What the new ordinance would do is take that right away from the individual, not to mention the right of the business owner," says Steve Alsop, Managing Owner of Peephole Bar & Grill.

Alsop tells NEWS 25, many restaurants and bars will fight this change, which would eliminate smoking in all bars, restaurants, and taverns.

Councilman Dr. Dan Adams, a retired heart surgeon, is sponsoring the changes. 

Adams tells NEWS 25, "I've seen anywhere from about 5,000 pairs of lungs and know intimately what problems one could run into with smoking. If you put a little ventilation up or a wall or a door or something, it just doesn't work."

There are some exceptions to this amendment-- including hotel rooms, non-profit businesses and clubs, and riverboats--namely Aztar's casino.

Alsop says, "It's a health issue, but if you give enough money we'll exempt you. Does he not care about the health and welfare of the patrons of Aztar?"

NEWS 25 asked Adams, "Is it about money? What's the reason why Aztar is being exempt?"

Adams says, "I think partly Aztar does not compete with restaurants bars and taverns and there is a special relationship between the city and the casino."

Alsop says he will join forces with other bar and restaurant owners Monday night to fight the changes.

"Bars, which we are primarily a bar, they experience typically a 20% decline the first couple of years."

Adams tells us, "I wouldn't have put in this ordinance in 10 days, 2 weeks ago if I hadn't checked to make sure I had the votes. I got a call from the Mayor saying he had told City Council if we pass it, he will sign it."

The public meeting for these smoking amendments starts at 5:00 p.m. Monday night in at the Civic Center.

If they pass, changes will go into effect July 6th.