Indiana lawmakers failed to pass legislation that would have banned smoking in most public places in the state, the Indianapolis Star reported Jan. 23.

The measure died in a House committee without ever coming up for a vote. House Public Policy Committee Chairman Rep. Trent VanHaaften said time just ran out for the bill during the current legislative session. Sponsor Rep. Charlie Brown said he would refile the bill next year.

The bill died despite the fact that supporters packed the committee room, including Bruce Hetrick, who said that secondhand smoke killed his wife, Pam Klein, a nonsmoker and former business editor of the Indianapolis Star.

Hetrick called on lawmakers to pass the bill and save other Indiana residents "from the slow-motion homicide that killed Pam."