ST. LOUIS – A Missouri lawmakers is sponsoring a bill that would assess financial penalties to Missouri communities that ban smoking in public places, the Associated Press reports.

Rep. Kathie Conway would require cities and counties to remit to local school districts the property and sales tax revenue they obtain from businesses affected by tobacco restrictions.

"If these municipalities and counties are going to hurt the income of small businesses, maybe their bottom line should be affected as well," Conway said.

Conway is seeking to protect the rights of owners of bars, restaurants and other businesses to decide for themselves whether to allow smoking.

Introduced April 2, the bill is opposed by the Missouri Municipal League and anti-smoking groups, who maintain the measure would punish local residents by denying them tax revenue.

"This is a local issue that should be vetted through the local process of elected representatives," said Richard Sheets, deputy director of the Missouri Municipal League.

The bill is co-sponsored by seven additional House members.