New Hampshire on Tuesday moved a step closer to banning cigarette smoking in all restaurants and bars.

The House approved a statewide smoking ban, 189-156. It now heads to the Senate.

Supporters pointed to the danger of secondhand smoke for workers and patrons. They say other states that enacted a ban have not seen their restaurants suffer financially.

“This is a health issue,” said Hampton Rep. Sheila Francouer. “I believe in the ‘Live Free or Die’ motto as much as anyone in this room, but I ask if any one of you have seen someone die of lung cancer.”

Manchester Rep. Hector Velez talked about his job as a health care worker and having to enter smoke-filled restaurants as part of his work.

“I am affected by that smoke,” he said.

Others said a smoking ban would help prevent young people from starting smoking and make it easier for adults who quit to avoid the temptation.

Opponents say it should be up to restaurant owners– not government– to disallow smoking on their premises. Some even disputed the dangers of secondhand smoke, with Kingston Rep. Ken Weyler calling it a “mythical hazard.”

“This bill is against all traditions of this Legislature. It puts us in the role of Big Brother. It’s anti-business, anti-choice and anti-freedom,” Weyler said.

“Will we soon be told which direction the toilet paper must hang from the roll?” asked Ralph Boehm, R-Litchfield.

Other lawmakers said they’d talked with restaurant owners and workers who did not want a smoking ban imposed on them.

“Let’s not take that choice away from someone who’s simply trying to make a living,” Rep. Randolph “Rip” Holden, R-Goffstown, said.

Several attempts to amend the bill failed, including one that would have allowed restaurants to maintain a separate area for smokers and one that would extend the ban to any location, including private homes, where there were children.

Source: Boston.com