08:10 AM EDT on Monday, April 18, 2005

Louisville -- Those in favor of a smoking ban in Metro Louisville have a slight edge over those who do not want one. As of Monday morning, those are the results of a WHAS11.com survey on the subject.

As of 8:00 a.m., 304 votes had been cast on the topic. 173 people have voted in favor of the ban for 56.91 per cent. 131 have voted no for 43.09 per cent.

Oddly enough, this is one issue where no one has cast an undecided vote.

The range of comments on the subject have run much along the lines of the opposing sides of the debate so far.

Here is a sampling of some of the comments:

"Smoking is a choice but when you make that choice do it where other people don't have to breath it in their lungs."

"Just one more of our rights taken away."

"I am definitely in favor of an ordinance that would prohibit smoking in all indoor places, it's about time."

"It's discrimination!"

"There are just two many risks with second hand smoke for pregnant women, babies and just regular people. Not only that but think about the studies done where a baby born from a mother who did drugs and drank during her pregnancy causing problems in the babies and most having to go through withdrawal. I believe the same is true for babies who are exposed over and over to smoke. They too have to go through withdrawal."

"There is no solid evidence that second hand smoke is dangerous. I have not smoked for the past 27 years, but think the government is placing way more restrictions than are necessary."

"Leave the choice up to the customer"

"Smoking is nasty I don't want to breathe their smoke. It would be much more pleasant to go into a restaurant without the smokey haze."

This Thursday, the special smoking ban committee of the Metro Council has scheduled an open hearing on the proposed ban. It will be in the Council Chambers between 6:00 to 8:00pm. To sign up to speak, call the office of Council Member Ellen Call, who chairs the committee.