Council adopts revised smoke-free policy for city-owned buildings after public debate

The Michigan City Common Council adopted a revised smoke-free ordinance on Feb. 17 that designates enclosed city-owned buildings and certain city property as smoke-free.

Councilman Coulter, who organized a workshop on the proposal, told colleagues the ordinance had been significantly narrowed from an earlier draft that would have covered all city-owned grounds. Attorney Snow explained the ordinance mirrors existing state statutory definitions for “workplace” and “public place” and emphasized the text now applies to enclosed areas of city-owned structures rather than outdoor spaces such as beaches and parks.

Council members debated enforcement and distance standards. Coulter said he was opposed to arbitrary distance thresholds: “I don't like this 8 foot, 20 foot deal. It's very arbitrary,” he said during debate. Councilwoman Moldenhauer, who emphasized secondhand smoke concerns for city employees, read scientific guidance into the record, noting recommendations that 25 feet from entrances, exits and air intakes is a more protective distance.

After a substitute amendment narrowing scope was approved on the motion, the council approved the ordinance on second reading, moved it to third reading the same evening, and then adopted it on a roll-call vote, 8-0. Public commenters expressed a range of views: some thanked the council for compromise and others criticized prioritizing outdoor smoking regulation over other city issues.

What the ordinance does: The final ordinance applies citywide to enclosed city-owned workplaces and enclosed public places, prohibits smoking in city-assigned vehicles and requires signage; parks, beaches and other open outdoor spaces were removed from the adopted text.