House Panel Approves Public Smoking Ban

• {Frankfort, Kentucky}...The House Health and Welfare Committee voted 10-2 Tuesday for a public smoking ban aimed to protect people from secondhand smoke inside workplaces, jails, bars, restaurants and even private homes if those residences are used for child care or adult daycare. House Speaker Greg Stumbo said Tuesday he supports calling the measure for a floor vote. Proponents had worried that House leaders might opt to let the bill die this year, a legislative election year, to avoid forcing incumbent lawmakers to take a stand on what is considered a hot-button issue in Kentucky.