FRANKFORT, KY - A Kentucky House committee approved earlier this week a smoking ban in all public places and indoor workplaces, Kentucky.com reports.

The House Health and Welfare Committee voted 10-2 to approve the bill, which now proceeds before the full House.

Senate President David Williams said he supports a statewide smoking ban, though Rep. Susan Westrom said she was skeptical the bill would ultimately pass.

All 100 members of the Kentucky House are up for re-election this year, so Westrom said she doubted the leaders would call a vote on what promises to be a controversial measure.

"This is a difficult issue for some of the rural legislators," she said. "Sometimes it takes time to get used to a message before you truly hear it."

While Kentucky may proceed cautiously in adopting a statewide ban, many Kentucky towns ?" roughly 35, according to Kentucky.com ?" have already implemented smoking bans.

Opponents of the statewide ban suggested the measure would result in a loss of business, especially for bars, and that it was an overreach by government.

"There are personal property rights that are being trampled," said Rep. Ben Waide, who voted against the measure.