Statewide smoking ban discussed

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Legislation that would create a statewide smoking ban goes before a House committee tomorrow.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Indiana now has the second highest smoking rate in the country and adult smoking rates are on the rise. With no statewide smoking ban on the books, Coordinator of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Tippecanoe County Tristan Kirby said it is a challenge to get people to kick the habit.

"To be able to move out of those ranks, we'll have to become a healthier state by passing smoke-free air laws, increasing our tobacco taxes, and also help decrease the adult smoking rate," Kirby said.

In December, North Carolina, a state with deep ties to the tobacco industry, instituted a smoke-free law statewide. Kirby said what seemed impossible a few years ago is now happening across the country.

"I'm not surprised anymore. It's becoming a growing trend," Kirby said.

Kirby said she is optimistic about legislation pending at the Statehouse. On Wednesday, the House Public Policy Committee will hear a bill that would prohibit smoking in public places, workplaces, and some state-owned vehicles. The bill, authored by Representative Charlie Brown of Gary does does gives an exemption for gaming facilities. A similar bill died in the Senate last session.

"In the past the biggest hurdle we've had is the casino industry, gaming industry. And by leaving them out, we can protect many more people in the state with this law," Kirby said.

Senator Ron Alting chairs the Senate Public Policy Committee. He said he will have to wait for the final version that comes out of the House before he can make a decision about bringing it before his committee.