A compromise between supporters and opposition of the proposed smoking ban in public places could be presented to the Ames City Council tonight.

Mayor Ted Tedesco said he received word Friday about a possible compromise for local businesses, bar and restaurant owners, as well as an endorsement of the compromise from the Ames Tobacco Task Force. Currently, the council is considering a first reading of the smoking ban ordinance for all public places in Ames.

“What is before the city council is a total ban, but a compromise will be brought forth,” Tedesco said.

If council members decide to consider the compromise, it will be given to Ames City Attorney John Klaus to write a new draft of the ordinance. It will then be submitted to the council at a later date, Tedesco said.

Ann Campbell, city council member, said the smoking ban was brought to the attention of the council a few months ago by community members supporting the ban. Since then, the ban has gone through a series of changes.

When it was first discussed, the ban included bars and restaurants, but after some consideration, it was changed to encompass all public places in Ames, Campbell said.

Each ordinance the council considers must survive three readings to become a law. If changes are not suggested and accepted tonight, it could be the first reading of the ordinance, she said.

“I think people would be very unhappy if there was a first reading and it would pass at this time,” Campbell said.

The smoking ban has been a controversial issue for the council, Tedesco said.

“There have been a lot of contacts with both myself and the city council members about this particular subject,” he said.

Differing points of view on the subject include residents interested in reducing secondhand smoke in public places to those who believe the ban would be an invasion on their right to choose. Others feel the ban is discriminatory because of the designated places, Tedesco said.

Like other members of the community, student opinion about the smoking ban on campus is split.

McCain Rosonke, junior in exercise and sport science, said he doesn’t support the smoking ban.

“Everybody has a right [to smoke], especially in bars,” he said.

On the other hand, Amy Underwood, senior in marketing and speech communications, said the ban is a good idea.

“I’ve never, ever smoked, and I think it’s disgusting,” she said. “I think it’s a really good idea to ban it in all restaurants, especially because families with kids go there.”

Despite their differences of opinion, both Rosonke and Underwood said they would be satisfied if a compromise was made.

“I think that would be fair to smokers,” Underwood said. “I know there are people who only smoke at bars.”

Members of the public are invited to come and voice their opinion at the city council meeting at 6 p.m. in City Hall, 515 Clark Ave.