A bill banning smoking in private clubs won preliminary approval in the Senate Thursday, but not before sparking the most debate of any issue to reach the floor so far this session.

SB77 was advanced by a vote of 16-10 after nearly an hour of discussion. Several of the senators who voted in favor of the bill indicated they still have concerns, suggesting the final vote on the bill may be even closer.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Mike Waddoups, R-West Jordan, said his intent was to protect the people who work in Utah's bars, taverns and private clubs — the servers, musicians and other subjected to second-hand smoke.

Seven other states including California and New York have already approved similar bans, he said. "The reason this is happening across our country is the danger in the workplace. Everyone recognizes the health concerns."

But Sen. Bill Hickman, R-St. George, said the ban could hurt tourism at a time there's a push to put $10 million or more into promoting the state to would-be visitors. Hickman said the state's restrictions on alcohol are already taking a toll.

"I suppose we're all going to die," Hickman said, adding that lawmakers may next consider banning red meat. "That's going to kill a lot of us," he said, pointing out that he wasn't "suggesting in any way that tobacco was a safe product."

Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights, said he had a hard time as a conservative "reaching inside a privately owned place." Members of private clubs understand smoking is permitted, he said, as do their employees.

Even the minority Democrats had differences over the issue. Sen. Patrice Arent, D-Salt Lake, said she saw no evidence that tourism had been hurt in other states that had enacted similar bans.

"A lot of people call me and say, 'This isn't a health issue, it's a religious issue.' It's a health issue," Arent said. "These are people who want to work . . . . They want to be there, but they don't want to risk their health."

Senate Assistant Minority Whip Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake, unsuccessfully tried to extend the ban to other places, including airports, fraternal organization meeting halls, hotels and even bed and breakfast lodging.

"If we're really looking out in this bill for the working men and women who are being exposed to second-hand smoke, then let's look out for the workers of the state of Utah," Davis said. His amendment was defeated on a voice vote.

But Sen. Ed Mayne, D-West Valley City, said the issue wasn't about worker safety. He said it was raised by the owner of several private clubs who didn't want to lose customers by banning smoking himself.

Private club owners already have the right to "put up a sign that says, 'No smoking in this establishment,' " Mayne, the head of the state AFL-CIO, said. "I encourage them to do that. They should all do that."

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