The 2005 Indianapolis clean indoor-air ordinance proved to be one of the most important public health events in Indiana history. Although not the model comprehensive law that Bloomington had enacted, it served as a decisive Hoosier precedent and the catalyst for the passage of other smoke-free ordinances in communities across the state. More than 40 Indiana communities have passed some kind of smoke-free ordinance since the enactment of the Indianapolis law, including 11 comprehensive ordinances.

Unfortunately, the Indianapolis law exempts bars, bowling alleys, restaurant-bars not allowing individuals younger than 18 years, private membership clubs, and a number of other venues. Although flawed, enactment of the Indianapolis clean indoor-air ordinance was trumpeted at the time as an important public health victory.

But times have changed. It would not be hailed as a great achievement today. Reflecting a national cultural change regarding our attitudes toward tobacco use, 100 percent comprehensive smoke-free ordinances and statutes are steadily increasing in number and are now the expectation. Twenty-six states have enacted comprehensive smoke-free statutes and 340 U.S. cities have passed comprehensive ordinances.

Indianapolis has simply fallen behind, left in the dust of more progressive Hoosier communities. Comprehensive smoke-free worksite laws including restaurants and bars have been enacted in localities including Greenfield, Hancock County, Plainfield, West Lafayette, Zionsville, Franklin, Greencastle and Elkhart.

Hoosiers are increasingly supportive of indoor smoke-free laws. In fact, a 2009 survey conducted by IUPUI revealed that nearly 70 percent of Marion County residents support a smoking ban in all worksites and public places including restaurants, bars and bowling alleys. Eighty-seven percent of respondents and even 68 percent of smokers believe that people who work indoors should do so in a smoke-free environment. Finally, a greater proportion of respondents indicated they would patronize restaurants, bars and bowling alleys more if smoking was banned in these establishments.

One major objection to smoke-free laws has been the belief that they produce adverse economic effects on the hospitality industry. The multitude of unbiased independent peer-reviewed studies of smoke-free cities and states clearly proves that there is no aggregate loss of business revenue for restaurants and bars after enactment of these laws.

Further, a study conducted by Ball State University 14 months after the Indianapolis ordinance was instituted examined monthly tax revenue from the Marion County food and beverage tax as a measure of sales. The conclusion was that there had been no impact on Marion County restaurants. A recent Fort Wayne study that included bars found no adverse effects on business. That result undoubtedly also would extend to Marion County bars.

There is no question that secondhand smoke is dangerous and that even brief exposures can be life threatening. That fact is underscored by the prestigious Institute of Medicine’s recent report that confirmed what a dozen other independent studies had previously suggested: There is a causal relationship between smoking bans and significant decreases of acute heart attacks in communities, states and countries that have enacted smoke-free laws.

A reminder to City-County Councilwoman Christine Scales: Protection of personal liberties ends when one person’s act harms another.

In 2005, 18 City-County Council members displayed remarkable courage voting in favor of the Indianapolis smoke-free ordinance, despite the possible political consequences. Their actions encouraged the chain reaction of other ordinances across the state, representing one of the few positive advancements in Indiana public health in recent memory. But the Indianapolis ordinance is now antiquated.

It’s time the City-County Council muster the integrity and political courage to amend the current ordinance into a comprehensive law. Two years ago Fort Wayne accomplished exactly that. Now it’s time for Indianapolis to do the same and show the world it is indeed the progressive city it claims to be.