Indiana - again statewide smoking ban passes house but ban still in doubt..

March 1, 2010 - Back on February 5, 2010 we reported that a bill to ban smoking in public places passed the house 73 to 26 earlier this week-but the Senate President Pro-tem David Long said the senate isn't ready to consider a ban. (Indiana - no statewide smoking ban this year for, "The ash tray of the Midwest"..)

Indianapolis - now we find a statewide smoking ban is on the table again at the Indiana Statehouse. The House of Representatives voted 54-44 Thursday to impose a statewide smoking ban with just two exceptions: casinos and pari-mutuel horse racing venues or racinos. "This is something we should have done three years ago, ladies and gentlemen. I don't think we can wait another year as has been quoted by the president Pro Tem of the Indiana Senate. That is why I want to send it back over there," said Rep. Charlie Brown (D-Gary).

Brown says secondhand smoke is not good for Indiana. It's certainly not good for Rep. John Bartlett, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2002. "It's a bad feeling. They have affairs for legislators and if I go in and they are smoking, I don't stay. I don't want cancer again and I hope no one in this House ever has to hear the doctor say you have cancer," he said.

Some lawmakers could not support the measure. "I cannot in good conscience vote for a bill that would prohibit the men and women who died on foreign soil would prevent them from smoking in their VFW Hall if they want it to be that way so I am going to vote no," said Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel). "I do believe that we are violating the right of people to invest in a business and determine how they want to run that business if we allow a ban on smoking," said Rep. Phil Hinkle (R-Indianapolis).

The smoking ban passed by ten votes so the Senate will have the chance to concur with the changes or differ and send it to conference committee to iron out the differences between the bills that passed out of the House and the Senate.

Reference: Indiana House approves smoking ban, Kevin Rader/Eyewitness News, wthr.com, 2/25/2010.

A few Indiana related news briefs:
Indiana - no statewide smoking ban this year for, "The ash tray of the Midwest"..;
Indiana - weak statewide smoke ban being considered..;
Indianapolis, Indiana - tobacco control people are furious - city used as test market again..;
Elkhart, Indiana - smoking ban stands no exemption for bars..;
Indiana - fire-safe cigarettes - July 1, 2009..;
Children in Indiana starting to use smokless tobacco products..;
Congratulations to the Great State of Indiana..;