The Alabama Senate has approved a bill that would put a proposed constitutional amendment banning indoor smoking on the state's ballot this fall, the Associated Press reported March 14.

The 26-7 vote sends the measure to the state House; the ballot item asks voters to amend the state constitution to prohibit smoking in restaurants and bars, but would allow smoking to continue in private clubs.

"This bill may give some people a few more breaths by preventing them from smoking in bars and restaurants," said Sen. Vivian Davis Figures (D-Mobile), the bill's sponsor. "It's going to protect children and the elderly, who won't be exposed to secondhand smoke against their wishes."

Figures added: "If we can give the people the opportunity to vote on whether to ban gay marriages, certainly we should give them the opportunity to vote on whether there should be clean air when they eat in a restaurant."