INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana's proposed statewide smoking ban got a lot looser Monday as the House decided to exempt bars, fraternal clubs and nursing homes in addition to casinos.
Casinos already were exempt from the proposal, but the GOP-controlled House voted 56-33 on Monday to exempt bars that don't allow anyone under age 21 to enter. The House also made exceptions for nursing homes and fraternal clubs, which could create separate smoking areas under the bill.
Rep. Charlie Brown, a Democrat from Gary who is sponsoring the bill, said the exemptions water down the proposal. He said he'll keep pushing the bill through the legislative process but hopes to remove some of the loopholes as lawmakers work on a final compromise.
He said major cities and many other states have comprehensive smoking bans, but Indiana lawmakers have been slow to act.
"It's just mind-boggling how we are so backwards," Brown said.
The exemptions for casinos and horse racing tracks was approved earlier this month after the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency said banning smoking in gambling establishments could cost the state about $190 million a year. Some lawmakers said it was unfair to exempt them from the ban without exempting bars — especially those in the same towns as casinos that could lose business if smokers decided to hang out at casinos instead of their establishments.
"What's fair for the big guy ought to be fair for the little guy," said Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City.
Brown and other supporters of a more comprehensive ban said the bill was about protecting workers, and that those who work in bars shouldn't have to choose between their health and their jobs.
Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he would sign a smoking ban into law, and Brown said he's confident the bill could move further through the Statehouse this year than it has in previous years.
"This whole place is about the friendly art of compromise," he said.
The House could vote on the relaxed smoking ban as early as Tuesday.
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