INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indiana Senate committee has approved a statewide smoking ban for Indiana businesses, despite objections over its exemptions for casinos and private clubs.

The Senate Policy Committee voted 8-2 on Wednesday, sending the plan to the full Senate.

The measure includes exemptions for the state's gaming industry, tobacco stores, hookah bars and private clubs such as VWF halls.

Supporters and opponents called the selective carve-outs "hypocritical" and bad policy.

"In this bill, we're saying that the value of a casino worker is higher than the value of somebody that works in a bar or a tavern," said Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel.

The proposal's authors acknowledged it wasn't a prefect plan, but said it was the best they could do given the state's political atmosphere and the gaming industry's clout.

"This is sad that we're so far behind the curve in terms of thinking about the Hoosiers that have no other choice. Everyone is moving towards a smoke-free environment," said Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary.

"We will eventually be smoke-free in Indiana completely. I know we have exemptions here. I support those exemptions," said Rep. Eric Turner, R-Cicero. "But we'll eventually be smoke-free as most states, or many states, are moving to. But we think this would be a good first step."

But bar owners who packed the hearing complained that the bill would deny them their rights to run their businesses as they want.

"The way it is now, the people have a choice. We have 'Smoking Establishment' on our door," said bar owner Wanda Goodpaster. "If a person doesn't want to come into a smoking establishment, then they shouldn't come in. They have a choice. If this law passes, the smoker's not gonna have a choice."

A veteran who smokes decried what he described as the shrinking rights of choice for people who want to light up.

"We're losing our choices. Everything's being taken away. We are not children," Charles Rogers said. "People have a choice to go into an establishment. If they know it's a smoking establishment, and they don't want to go in there, no one's dragging them into there."

Lawmakers voted after listening to four hours of testimony from bar owners and smokers, along with doctors who said a partial smoking ban was better than no ban, and relatives of people killed by lung cancer.