CROWN POINT | Crown Point goes smoke-free April 1.

After months of debate among members of the community and health organizations, the Crown Point City Council approved final reading of a citywide smoking ban Monday night in a 6-1 vote. Councilman Steve Farley voted against it.

"I still think it's up to the business owners to decide whether they want a smoking environment or a smoke-free environment," said Farley, who acknowledged he is a smoker trying to quit.

Crown Point will become to second community in Northwest Indiana to stamp out smoking in public places. Valparaiso instituted a smoking ban earlier this year.

Crown Point's ordinance will prohibit smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces within city limits. It will not ban smoking in private residences, designated smoking rooms in hotels, outdoor work areas, retail tobacco shops, bars and private clubs.

The ordinance defines bars as establishments that require patrons to be 18 and older. Restaurants like Twelve Islands, Bronkos and The Circle, which also have bars inside, will be forced to go smoke-free. So would bowling alleys like Fricke's Recreation and The Super Bowl.

Councilman Mike Conquest, who led the push for a smoking ban, said he nixed the portion of the ban that calls for separate ventilation systems for businesses granted an exemption. There also is no longer a fee to file for an exemption.

The Crown Point Police Department is in charge of enforcing the ban, according to the ordinance.

Violators will be charged $50 for smoking where it is prohibited. Businesses would be fined $100 on the first offense, $200 for the second within one year and $500 for each additional violation in a one-year period.

"I firmly believe this is the right thing to do," Conquest said.

The council declined to allow public comment during the meeting, saying residents and business owners were offered lots of opportunities to comment during the ordinance committee meetings.

After the vote, some members of the audience clapped and cheered.

"We might have to change the slogan -- 'You're coming into healthy Crown Point,'" Mayor Dan Klein joked.