Portage weighing tougher smoking ordinance
Bar owners ready to fight plan: ‘If you don’t think we’ll lose business, you’re dead wrong’
A group of Portage bar owners oppose a proposed city ordinance, pushed by health care advocates, that snuffs out smoking in all public spaces.
They told the City Council Tuesday the ordinance would jeopardize their businesses, many still reeling from losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robin Bender said she owns three businesses in the city, including a bar.
“This is the worst time for this … collectively we have at least 100 people relying on their jobs,” she said. “Two bar owners tried nonsmoking and they lost customers … If you don’t think we’ll lose business, you’re dead wrong.”
Council President Collin Czilli, D-5th, said the council would likely amend the proposed ordinance at its Aug. 3 meeting to mirror state law, which allows bar owners to make their own decision on smoking.
Indiana banned smoking in 2012, but left several exemptions including bars, casinos and private clubs. Counties and cities, however, could enact stricter rules. Now, a statewide smoking cessation group called Breathe Easy Indiana is aiming at a wider prohibition.
Czilli said the proposed Portage ordinance would probably only include language banning smoking at outdoor city properties, such as parks and playgrounds.
The original smoking ordinance, unveiled last month, represented a sweeping ban of smoking at places such as bars, restaurants, hotels and motels.
Former councilman Mark Oprisko, who owns Marko’s Bar and Grill, said he tried to run his
business smoke-free for about six months. He said his revenue was nearly cut in half.
Oprisko questioned why smoke-free proponents were focused on the eight bars in Portage.
“We’re just a speck. Have you tried going to the city of Gary? I stopped by the new Hard Rock and there were thousands of people there gambling and smoking. I’d be the poster child if the state was going to go with you.
“It’s not my job in life to tell people to quit smoking,” he said.
Members of Breathe Easy Portage, an offshoot of Breathe Easy Indiana, urged the city council to adopt the more stringent ordinance. Many sat in the front row in bright red T-shirts.
“Over the last month, we’ve been meeting with folks it the community and heard a lot of positive feedback in adopting the ordinance as proposed,” said Megan Fisher, an addictions specialist.
Karen Allen, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions at Valparaiso University, said the U.S. loses nearly 500,000 lives each year to smoking.
“It is as if we are immune to what’s happening. It’s the leading cause of preventable death,” she said.
Nurse practitioner Jamie Bump, of Portage, said it’s important to have a smoking ban in all places including bars and restaurants.
“I feel very strongly, from a business perspective, that it’s a win-win, as long as the whole city is involved.”
Leaders of six regional health organizations also sent a joint letter to the City Council urging adoption of the stricter ordinance that included bars and private clubs. They included Northwest Health, HealthLinc, Northshore Health Centers, Porter-Starke Services, the St. Mary Medical Center and Franciscan Health Michigan City.