INDIANAPOLIS -- Anti-smoking advocates may finally be on the verge of getting a stronger statewide smoking ban passed by the General Assembly.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in both the Senate and House is pushing to ban smoking in most public places and workplaces, including bars. The only exemptions it includes are the gambling floors of casinos and pari-mutuel betting parlors, private clubs and cigar and hookah bars.

Various forms of a smoking ban have passed the House five times, only to die in the Senate. But with Gov. Mitch Daniels throwing his weight behind the idea this time, supporters are crossing their fingers that this is finally the year.

As usual, members of the health industry lined up Monday to support the smoking ban before the House Public Health Committee.

Former state health commissioner Dr. Richard Feldman said he doesn't like the exceptions, but said he realizes they're necessary to get the bill passed.

"We understand and acknowledge compromise is necessary and essential to the legislative process," Feldman said. "And I must say, it's gratifying to finally see a bipartisan effort recognizing these benefits to pass something meaningful."

But bar owners cried foul. They said extending the ban will damage their businesses and feel their interests are being sacrificed in an effort to blunt the opposition of casino owners.

"We've heard a lot of good testimony on why we need to have a smoking ban here in the state of Indiana, but I don't know that there's any of that testimony that could also say this is why we need to ban tobacco altogether in the state of Indiana," said Brad Klopfenstein with the Tavern League of Indiana. "I'd like to hear more about why are bars suddenly the pariah when it comes to this argument?"

Many witnesses called for passage before the Super Bowl to prevent visitors from getting what one called a "third-world view" of Indianapolis.

But one longtime sponsor said he wishes it didn't require such a nudge.

"I dislike the fact that the presence of the Super Bowl here seems to be the moving force," said Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary.

Monday's meeting was only to hear testimony, not vote, since the bill hadn't been officially assigned. But once Democrats returned to the House floor and business resumed, that meant members could vote on the measure at their next meeting.