South Bend Council Votes Against Smoking Ban For Bars

(CBS) -- South Bend's Common Council has voted against a smoking ban, reports WBBM's Mike Krauser.

The proposal would have banned smoking in bars in South Bend but the effort failed on a vote of 5-4. It was welcome news to South Bend tavern owner Gary Weese.

"We were really hoping that the council would support local businesses. That was very important to us and they heard our argument and voted accordingly so we are very, very pleased," said Weese.
Weese and other bar owners argued a ban would send business to Mishawaka and elsewhere in St. Joseph County.

Karl Nichols, a spokesman for Smoke Free St. Joe, told WSBT the council voted against the residents and a more attractive city.

"We are going to regroup. We are going to look at where are at and we are going to continue to educate the community and continue to educate our supporters and our leaders and go from there," Nichols said.

South Bend is one of the biggest communities in the state that still allows smoking in bars.