House passes smoking ban measure

Publication Date: 2007-04-09

• Author:Mary Beth Schneider
• Publication:Indianapolis (IN) Star

The Indiana House passed on a voice vote today a measure that would ban smoking in most public places, with a few exceptions such as bars.

The amendment, offered by Rep. Eric Turner, R-Marion, was added to Senate Bill 503, which contains Gov. Mitch Daniels' plan to offer health insurance to the working poor.

That bill comes up for a vote in the House on Tuesday. The final version, though, must be hammered out by lawmakers from the House and Senate in a conference committee formed to negotiate differences between the House and Senate over the plan...

Under Turner's amendment, smoking would be barred in public places such as arenas. Exceptions are private residences, other than those used as licensed day care facilities; tobacco stores; bars; public areas that are rented for private events; and areas of truck stops that are not accessible to people under age 21.