A bill approved by a Minnesota Senate committee would allow indoor smoking to continue in bars and restaurants that install ventilation systems, but critics say such systems won't protect patrons and employees from secondhand smoke.

The Associated Press reported Feb. 19 that the Freedom to Breathe Act -- which would trump tougher local indoor-smoking bans if passed by the legislature and signed by the governor -- was amended by the committee to include the ventilation loophole.

"There's nothing that really supports that ventilation will be able to provide protection to the public," said bill sponsor Kathy Sheran, who said she would work to reverse the amendments by the Senate Business, Industry and Jobs Committee.

The committee made the changes to placate bar owners, but rejected a proposal to delay implementation until 2009.