Smoking ban advances in Kentucky

Although its chances of becoming law seem unlikely at best, Friday’s vote in the Kentucky House to endorse a smoking ban counted as a notable moment in a state still steeped in tobacco culture.

The Kentucky House endorsed a statewide smoking ban in public buildings and most workplaces, with the measure passing the Democratic-led chamber 51-46. The bill now heads to the Republican-run state Senate, where it faces a bigger challenge.

“After five years of hard work, I’m delighted we’ve gotten it through the House,” said Democratic state Rep. Susan Westrom, the bill’s lead sponsor. “My hope is to see some movement in the Senate, that would be a miracle. We don’t know what to dream for until we get to the end of the session and see how far we come.”

State Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer has said there isn’t much sentiment in the chamber to pass a smoking ban.

There are several dozen Kentucky communities that have comprehensive smoke-free ordinances, according to the University of Kentucky College of Nursing. Lexington, one of the state’s biggest cities, passed a smoking ban in 2004.