SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A proposed ordinance to ban smoking on the patios of San Francisco bars has drawn a backlash. The proposed ordinance, which was introduced by Supervisor Myrna Melgar, aims to "prohibit smoking in outdoor patios of bars and taverns" and to "eliminate exceptions allowing indoor smoking in bars with no employees, bars with historically compliant semi-enclosed smoking rooms, and hotel rooms." Supervisor Danny Sauter co-sponsored the bill. Historic Emmett House in Belmont hits market at $2.788M However, the proposed ban has drawn a backlash from a number of San Francisco bars that have launched a petition opposing it. "We, the undersigned bars, restaurants, and small businesses of San Francisco along with our patrons, write in firm opposition to File No. 260361, introduced by Supervisor Myrna Melgar and co-sponsored by Supervisors Danny Sauter, Alang Wong, and Connie Chan," the petition reads. "This ordinance would amend the Health Code to prohibit smoking on the outdoor patios of bars and taverns, eliminate longstanding exceptions that have allowed certain establishments to maintain indoor smoking areas consistent with state law." "While we respect the Board's concern for public health, we believe this legislation is misguided in its scope, timing, and priorities -- and we urge the board to reject it," the petition adds. SF bars and businesses that have signed on to the petition include: El Rio Zeitgeist Small Business Forward The Stud Horsies Market Saloon Casements Mothership Bar Mother The Alembic Powerhouse Bar Thee Parkside The Laundry Corner Kilowatt The National Harm Reduction Coalition More are being added as they sign on, according to the petition's organizers. The petition calls on the Board of Supervisors to vote no on the ordinance in its current form and to commit to a moratorium on new regulatory burdens on bars, restaurants, and small businesses until the city has conducted a comprehensive cumulative impact study of existing compliance costs. As of Friday morning, the petition has just over 1,500 signatures. ...read more read less