Statewide smoking vote proposal

<br>(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Lawmakers have filed a proposal for a statewide vote on banning smoking in all public places, including bars. <br><br>Senate Joint Resolution 21 is supported by the Oklahoma Restaurant

Thursday, January 30th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Lawmakers have filed a proposal for a statewide vote on banning smoking in all public places, including bars.

Senate Joint Resolution 21 is supported by the Oklahoma Restaurant Association.

The resolution doesn't include the group's previous demand that the ban would have to receive a two-thirds majority from voters in an election.

Senate President Pro Tem Cal Hobson and House Speaker Larry Adair are the principal authors of the measure.

State Health Commissioner Doctor Leslie Beitsch says the measure will have trouble because it bans smoking in bars. He says he'll vote for the measure, though.

The state Board of Health last year passed smoking rules affecting restaurants, but those rules have been challenged in court.