With support from a coalition called the Indiana Campaign for Smokefree Air, Indiana state legislators are planning a strong effort to ban almost all indoor smoking in the state, the Chicago Tribune reported Nov. 14.

The coalition of over 30 organizations, including the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, is lined up in support of a bill sponsored by Charlie Brown, a state representative and chairman of the House Public Health Committee. The bill would ban smoking in most enclosed public places, including restaurants, bars, bowling alleys and casinos.

Brown said the primary goal of the effort is to protect the health of nonsmokers working in places where smoking is allowed. "It is a public-health issue," Brown said.

The bill is facing opposition from state lobbying groups that include the Indiana Licensed Beverage Association and the Casino Association of Indiana. These organizations said that a smoking ban could cause economic harm to the businesses they represent.

Brad Klopfenstein, executive director of the Licensed Beverage Association said that the real goal of the smoking ban advocates is complete prohibition of smoking in the state. "Tobacco is a legal product, and adults should be able to enjoy a legal product around other adults," Klopfenstein said.

Brown said that a statewide ban would bring continuity to current smoke-free ordinances in the state. The group Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation said that there are 36 counties or communities in Indiana with their own local smoke-free laws.