Smoking would be prohibited in all enclosed workplaces in Iowa, including bars, restaurants, and casinos, under legislation passed this week by the Iowa Senate, the Des Moines Register reported Feb. 28.

The vote was 29-21 in favor of the bill; the legislation now moves over to the Iowa House of Representatives for consideration.

"This bill is not a divisive tool for discriminating against those who choose to smoke, but an avenue to a healthier Iowa," said state Sen. Staci Appel. She and other Senate Democrats worked to ensure that casinos were not exempted from the legislation. "As our surrounding states pass legislation creating smoke-free environments in all public places and areas of work, we as Iowans cannot neglect the opportunity to protect the health of every citizen in our own state," she said.

Smoking would still be permitted in private homes, some hotel rooms, tobacco stores, and a few other indoor places, as well as outdoors.

The House version of the bill, passed on Feb. 19, would allow smoking in casinos, which Democratic leaders said was a necessary compromise to get enough votes for passage. If neither version is approved by both houses of the legislature, a committee will convene to work out differences in the legislation. "This bill's still got a course to go through and there will be compromises along the way," said Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal.