Statewide smoking ban wins passage in House

Publication Date: 2010-02-25

• Author:Bill Ruthhart
• Publication:Indianapolis (IN) Star

Lawmakers in the Indiana House resuscitated a statewide smoking ban Wednesday, one that would prevent lighting up in all public places except for casinos and horse tracks.

Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, had proposed a smoking ban in House Bill 1131, but it was watered down through a series of amendments to exclude not only casinos and horse tracks, but bars, taverns, smoke shops, small businesses that aren't open to customers, and VFW and American Legion halls. The Senate didn't hear that bill.

So on Wednesday, Brown sought to insert the stronger ban into Senate Bill 175, and the amendment passed on a voice vote. The House will take a final vote on the bill today, and both SB 175 and HB 1131 will move on to conference committees where members of each chamber will work to reconcile their differences on the legislation.