(Indianapolis, Ind.) - A vote on a statewide smoking ban could happen in the Indiana House Public Health Committee this week.
Lawmakers say the vote is planned for the committee on Wednesday, but even with a possible vote by the full House next week there is no guarantee a ban could be in place before Super Bowl 46 in Indianapolis February 5.
Legislative leaders have expressed a desire to have the ban in effect in time for Indiana’s moment in the spotlight in the two weeks leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. However, Senate President Pro Tem David Long told the Indianapolis Star he does not anticipate the bill moving along quickly.
Governor Daniels has included enacting a ban in his legislative agenda for this year, giving supporters their best chance in the last six years of getting it through.
The proposal, House Bill 1063 would outlaw smoking in most public places but exempt private clubs, casinos and existing cigar and hookah bars. It would also prohibit smoking within 12 feet of a public entrance.
Indiana University’s Bowen Research Center at the IU School of Medicine issued a report Monday claiming second hand smoke has a $1.3 billion negative impact on Indiana’s economy each year.
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