DES MOINES -- A statewide ban on smoking in public places could come up for a vote in the Iowa House of Representatives as early as this week, say leaders working to round up the votes it needs for approval.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Des Moines, called a statewide smoking ban the biggest public health initiative the Legislature could approve.

Before lawmakers convened in January, McCarthy predicted they would not vote a statewide ban into law. At that time, he said the Legislature would be more likely to approve a measure giving local governments the authority to impose their own smoking restrictions. McCarthy's opinion has since changed.

"For a whole variety of reasons since the session started, the statewide trend, if you will, has picked up a lot of support, a lot of votes, and from a public policy, public health perspective, that would be much better," McCarthy said. "It would cover thousands of more establishments than a local option would."

Supporters also note a statewide ban would keep the state from becoming a patchwork of differing smoking laws.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said the Senate likely would take a look at a statewide ban as well.

"Everybody needs to know, this is headed towards a smoke-free society," Gronstal said.

The measure has faced tough resistance from the bar, restaurant and casino industry, which argues it should have a right to decide whether establishments allow smoking.

Rep. Tami Wiencek, R-Waterloo, said she is getting a number of e-mails on the issue, both from supporters of a ban and those who don't want smoking restrictions. She doesn't know how she'll vote.

"I'm undecided. I've got to look at the final language" of the bill, Wiencek said.

Rep. Pat Grassley, a New Hartford Republican, also hasn't taken a position.

"One of the concerns I have is just, I feel, business owners should be able to make their own decision, and so that's one of the concerns I have about the bill," Grassley said.

Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo, has concerns about a statewide ban as well, and believes individual communities should be able to determine what policy they want.

Dotzler's mother owns a tavern in Waterloo, and he notes the downtown area has a mix of bars that allow smoking and those that don't.

"There is an element of the public that likes to smoke in a tavern, and I think the community and the members of the community ought to best decide that, so I'm not in full support of a statewide ban," Dotzler said.

He also said he has concerns about giving casinos and veterans organizations an exemption from the smoking ban, because it could take away business from local bars. The exemption for casino and veterans clubs is part of a bill that has been approved in the House Commerce Committee and appears headed to the full House for a vote.

Contact Charlotte Eby at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.