Statewide Smoking Ban On The Table

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(STATEHOUSE) - The debate over higher cigarette taxes has expanded to include a statewide ban on smoking in restaurants and most other public places.

The House has voted to add a statewide smoking ban to Governor Daniels' health-insurance bill. Several cities have passed their own bans, but Representative Eric Turner (R-Marion) says if the state is serious about the health dangers of smoking, it needs to get involved.

Bars, truck stops and tobacco stores would be exempt from the ban, though cities with stricter bans could keep those limits in place.

24 states have total bans, but Turner says he's not sure he could get that passed. He says the partial ban may pick up some votes from Republicans who are otherwise leery of voting for a tax hike.

A final House vote on the ban and the insurance package is set for Tuesday. After that, House and Senate negotiators must hammer out a final version of the bill. They also need to find a home for the cigarette tax hike or another way to pay for the expanded insurance coverage.

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