Limited smoking ban bill moves forward

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Indiana House lawmakers are sending a limited statewide ban on smoking to the Senate for consideration.

The House voted 61-34 Tuesday afternoon to approve the statewide ban. Casinos, private clubs, cigar and hookah bars and retail tobacco stores would all be exempted under the House plan. Indiana bars would also get an 18-month reprieve before the measure kicks in.

The ban now moves to Indiana's Senate where anti-smoking advocates have had little success in the past.

Republican Rep. Eric Turner said Tuesday that even with the exemptions the measures marks a "good first step" for Indiana.

The ban has garnered broad support from Indiana leaders. Gov. Mitch Daniels included the ban in his 2012 legislative agenda and Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma said the ban was a top priority.