It seems as if every year, the Iowa Legislature faces one high-profile decision that helps pull back the curtain on lawmakers' true intentions.

This year, that issue is whether or not to ban smoking in public places. Although it appears most lawmakers support the idea of a statewide ban, many legislators have worked to carve out exceptions for places they think deserve special privileges.

Take casinos, for example. Iowa's lucrative gambling industry has pushed hard to exclude their facilities from any potential ban. They argue going smoke-free would result in a drop in attendance and revenues.

That has some lawmakers from gambling towns saying they won't support a statewide smoking ban unless casinos are excluded.

But other legislators worry that exemption could give casinos an unfair advantage over local bars that still would have to eliminate smoking. Smokers might end up going to bars inside the casino if they can't light up at the neighborhood tap, they say.

An alliance of restaurant owners is also fighting the ban. Smoking policies in their private establishments should be theirs to decide, they say.

But the casinos have something going for them the bars and restaurants don't: They deliver a steady flow of cash into government coffers through gambling taxes.

Those tax receipts fund a variety of programs for the state. Casinos also are a significant employer and economic engine in towns where they operate. That gives them a lot of pull at the Statehouse.

It helps explain why even some who are touting the public health benefits of smoke-free workplaces want to still allow smoking in casinos.

Attempts to restrict smoking in public places have been tripped up in years past by these special interests.

Currently, Iowa law doesn't allow local governments to set their own local smoking ordinances.

Past efforts in the Legislature to allow local control of public smoking have fizzled even though elected officials in some communities want to move forward with their own laws.

In recent months, it appears public opinion has shifted strongly in favor of a smoking ban.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Des Moines, said an internal survey showed four out of five Iowans support the idea of a statewide ban. Most would consider that a mandate from the voters.

McCarthy has said the idea has support in the Iowa House, which is expected to vote on the measure in the coming days.

But the bill under consideration has picked winners and losers. It carves out exemptions for Iowa casinos and private events at veterans' organizations. Smoking still would be banned in restaurants and bars.

The legislation highlights the inconsistencies in the smoking debate. If it's important to protect the health of restaurant and bar employees, why shouldn't casino employees be afforded the same protection?

Ultimately, it's difficult to predict what a smoking ban might look like after it snakes its way through the legislative process. Some House GOP members are set to offer amendments that would exempt bars and family farm corporations from smoking bans.

Who can say no to family farmers? And if smokers can't go to a bar to puff, where can they go?

It all raises some difficult questions for state lawmakers, who likely will have to take votes that will anger some people back home. The question is, which people.