Indiana smoking ban sponsor disputes lawsuit deal

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The author of Indiana's new statewide smoking ban law says the state attorney general's office deal for dismissal of a court challenge misses the law's intent.

An American Legion post in the town of Ligonier dropped its federal lawsuit this week after the attorney general's office told its lawyer that the law only applies when non-members are allowed inside.

The post's attorney says it will prohibit smoking during public events but allow smoking when only members are present.

Republican Rep. Eric Turner tells The Associated Press that is "absolutely not" the intent of the law that took effect in July. Turner says the post must have a separately ventilated smoking room to ever allow minors inside.

The attorney general's office says the post can distinguish between public and members-only events.