South Bend Common Council to revisit smoking ban

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- On Monday, the South Bend Common Council is set to vote on the smoking ban proposal.

The Clean Air Ordinance aims to extend the state's ordinance by banning smoking in all bars, restaurants and private clubs within city limits.

The issue was tabled by the council for the last 60 days.

"There's no acceptable level of second-hand smoke," said Karl Nichols, spokesman for Smoke-Free St. Joe. "We don't get the opportunity to invite smoke into our body. If it's in the air, it comes into our body."

"They're going to take our bars from us," said Lonnie Burger, owner of Lonnie's 23 Inn on Prairie Avenue in South Bend.

Burger isn't excited about the idea of adopting a smoking ban.

"I'll go under, I have no doubt. It'll break my heart, I don't know how else to say it," said Burger.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Residents can voice their opinions during the Health and Public Safety Committee meeting at 5p.m.