The Indiana Senate will take up a statewide smoking ban next week, for the first time ever.
A year after killing an exception-laden smoking ban 8-1, the Senate Public Policy Committee approved a tougher version 8-2.
Supporters contend the public health benefits trump any arguments against the measure.
The bill exempts gambling facilities, cigar and hookah bars, tobacco shops, and social clubs.
Bars and taverns are also exempt, but only for the first 18 months.
Some lawmakers predict the Senate will tack on even more exceptions, leaving it to a House-Senate conference committee to hammer out a compromise in the final ten days of the session.