On 6th Try, Senate Passes Smoking Ban Bill

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – The Indiana Senate passed a bill to create a statewide smoking ban Tuesday, but not before revising the proposal to exempt some bars.

Anti-smoking legislation has passed the House each of the past five years, only to die in the Senate each time. This year it finally passed.

The legislation, House Bill 1149, still includes exemptions for casinos, cigar bars, and veterans clubs, but has been amended to also exempt bars which only serve adults.

Other changes made by the Senate to the ban include allowing charity gaming events to let people smoke and preventing local governments from enacting stronger bans that outlaw lighting up at casinos. Residential health-care facilities and nursing homes could continue to allow smoking.

Bill author Rep.Eric Turner (R-Cicero) was not happy with the expanded list of exemptions.

"They put a lot of exemptions on it," Turner told the Indianapolis Star. "It might be easier to write a bill that just lists the places where you can smoke."

The proposal will head back to the House where those changes could be approved in a conference committee.

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he would sign a smoking ban bill into law if it passes the legislature. His office made no comment on the modified bill Tuesday.

If Indiana passes the smoke-free law, it would become the 23rdstate to enact a smoking ban.

LINKS:

Senate Takes Up Smoking Tuesday

Smoking Ban Passes Senate Committee

House Passes Smoking Ban, 62-34

Bars Given 18 Months In Latest Smoking Ban Bill

Poll: 70% of Hoosiers Want Smoke Free Law