Smoking ban proposal heads toward House

Publication Date: 2010-01-21

• Author:Jon Seidel
• Publication:Gary Post Tribune

A proposal to ban smoking in public places was narrowly endorsed in committee Wednesday, with even its supporters expressing reservations and calling it a work in progress.

The bill by Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, would prohibit smoking in all public places except casinos. Brown said he wants smoking banned everywhere in Indiana, but he's offering up the casino exception so it isn't defeated by gaming lobbyists.

"We'll be back, riverboats and racinos," Brown said...

Brown's bill earned the endorsement of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and AARP of Indiana, among others. Richard Feldman, a former state health commissioner, said smoking bans don't pose an unnecessary intrusion into the rights of citizens or business owners.