INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Smoking rules for Indianapolis businesses remain unchanged after a proposal that would have banned smoking in nearly all workplaces didn't pass the City-County Council.

The council voted 13-12 against the measure Monday night, leaving it shy of the 15 votes needed to pass or fail. The proposal can be brought back for a later vote, and Republican Councilman Ben Hunter says he expects it will win approval in the next two or three months.

Opponents argued that many businesses would be threatened if the
current smoking ban exemptions for bars, bowling alleys and private
clubs were eliminated.

The tougher ban would only allow exemptions for businesses such
as hookah and cigar bars.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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