Sixty percent of District residents support an indoor smoking ban, according to a poll released in anticipation of a Wednesday D.C. City Council hearing during which a ban was debated.

The telephone poll, conducted by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, surveyed approximately 500 randomly selected voters, The Washington Post reported.

Thirty-five percent of people surveyed opposed the ban, The Post reported. The margin of error was 4.4 percent.

At Wednesday’s council hearing, which saw scores of people testifying for and against the ban, council member Carol Schwartz said she opposed the ban, claiming it would hurt bars and restaurants, NBC4 reported.

Schwartz put forth a plan that would give tax breaks to smoke-free businesses.

Anti-smoking activists said a smoking ban similar to the one implemented in Montgomery County would ensure the health of bar and restaurant employees, NBC4 reported. A vote on the ban has yet to be scheduled.