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Last updated on Saturday, January 5, 2008
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indianapolis International Airport will stay smoke-free… for the most part.
The airport authority has amended its smoking ordinance to allow designated smoking areas outside, probably away from all doors. The board passed the final version on a 6-to-1 vote with member Stuart Grauel casting the one no vote. Grauel says he wanted Indianapolis to be the first completely smoke-free airport in the nation, and feels the amended version takes the airport one step backwards.
The board unanimously rejected an amendment that would have created an indoor smoking area for airline employees. Smoke-Free Indy, Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation, the American Cancer Society, and the American Heart Association all testified before the board against an indoor facility.
ITPC Spokeswoman Anita Gaillard pledged monetary support to the airport authority for education and enforcement materials as well as employee cessation programs.
The ordinance carries a 50-dollar fine for first time offenses and 200 dollars for all subsequent offenses within one calendar year, but Duncan says the airport will start with a passive enforcement approach.
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