HARRISBURG, Pa. -- A statewide smoking ban could soon become a reality in Pennsylvania. Lawmakers hope to have the bill passed before they take their summer break.

A Senate committee reviewing the smoking ban bill held a hearing on Thursday in Harrisburg, where a number of pro-smoking advocates and representatives from bars, restaurants and casinos testified.

Speaking to the committee on Thursday was a representative from the Meadows Casino in Washington County.

He said banning smoking at the facility would put the casino at a disadvantage when trying to compete with casinos in West Virginia. Casinos in West Virginia not only allow smoking but have allowed table games at the casinos, too, something Pennsylvania does not have.

On Monday, the committee heard from anti-smoking advocates hoping to get their message across.

The bill would ban smoking in public places, including workplaces, bars, restaurants, clubs, taverns and casinos.

"Simply put, having a smoking and nonsmoking section in the same airspace is like having a peeing and non-peeing section in a hot tub or swimming pool," Bill Goodshall of Smoke Free Pa. said on Monday.

Committee members hope to have a vote on the smoking ban sometime in May.

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