INDIANAPOLIS | An Indiana House panel advanced a statewide ban on smoking in indoor public places Wednesday after adopting exemptions big enough to steer through a riverboat.
The Democratic-controlled House Public Policy voted 7-5 along party lines to send the full chamber a measure that would ban smoking in Indiana restaurants and most other enclosed workplaces, but not in bars that do not admit minors.
The panel also exempted private clubs, such as veteran's halls, tobacco shops and casinos, though the region's five riverboats would be required to place 20 percent of their gaming positions in smoke-free areas.
The smoking ban, contained in House Bill 1213, embodies a public health crusade by Rep. Charlie Brown, a Gary Democrat who preemptively argued against the exemptions added by the committee.
"We need to protect the citizens of the state of Indiana," Brown said. "There are all kinds of studies that show second hand smoke is very harmful."
