INDIANAPOLIS | Legislation that would ban smoking in most indoor public places was approved Wednesday by a House committee.
State Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, sponsored the plan, which prohibits all indoor smoking, except in casinos, horse tracks and other gambling facilities.
"It's a bill whose time has come. It's past time to stop this whole foolishness about it isn't the right thing to do," Brown said. "The more important thing to do is protect the health and well-being of all Hoosiers.
"Many, many people that inhale this secondhand smoke do not have health care coverage. And, therefore, we pay for it one way or the other."
Exempting casinos from the smoking ban was a strategic decision, Brown said. Casinos lobbied strongly against Brown's smoking ban proposal, in the 2009 General Assembly, that included all indoor spaces.
Brown said he'd be open to revisiting the casino exemption once the smoking ban becomes law.
The House Public Policy Committee approved the legislation 7-5 on party lines, with Democrats voting for the measure and Republicans opposed. The proposal now advances to the full House.
