Fill 'er up: More health fascism on the Indianapolis legislative horizon.

As an oblique way of approaching today's polemic, the question has been asked whether NABC’s Bank Street Brewhouse will be smoking or non-smoking.

There are seven persons doing the bulk of the start-up work at the new location on Bank Street: The Publican (me), Gregg, Jesse, Jared, Kelsey, Josh and John. Of these, there are three cigarette smokers and at least one cigar aficionado (my habit is one a day, sometimes two).

We decided to vote democratically on the smoking issue, and it was unanimous in favor of no indoor smoking at the taproom/brasserie. Because there will be an outdoor patio, there is the prospect of arranging an all-weather enclosure for smokers. This option will be pursued when there is time.

The point to me is that we conferred and reached an equitable decision with which we’re all comfortable. The taproom/brasserie is quite small, and we’ll be trying to do new and different approaches to food and beer. All this is incompatible with smoking inside. Consequently, our workers will be protected from second-hand smoke, and our smoking employees, as adults capable of making their own decisions, will continue to subject their lungs to smoke.

Meanwhile, with a drastic economic downturn underway and Indiana ranking near the top of selected unemployment statistics, there’s time for the state legislature to mimic New Albany’s city council and waste valuable time with superfluousness.

Panel to air smoking-ban bill; Some businesses are seeking exemptions, by Lesley Stedman Weidenbener.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana would go smoke-free in all public places -- including restaurants, bars and casinos -- if legislation to be heard in committee next week becomes law …

… Doctors, health groups, anti-smoking organizations and others are scheduled to have two hours to make their case that a ban will save lives now lost to diseases caused by second-hand smoke.

Then opponents -- including casinos, restaurant owners and some local government officials who don't want to cede authority to the state -- will have two hours to make their case.

"We're hoping to fill the House chamber with people," said Tim Filler, grass-roots chairman of the Indiana Campaign for Smokefree Air.

One must wonder whether the presiding legislative officer in Indianapolis will take a cue from former council president Gahan and suspend his own rules to permit Filler to fill more time disparaging the sub-humans who smoke?