Associated Press - May 19, 2009 2:44 PM ET

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A House committee says Louisiana's hazy, smoke-filled bars and casinos should become smoke-free.

That was the narrow decision of the House Health and Welfare Committee, which in an 8-7 vote backed a proposed ban on smoking in bars and casinos. The vote was tied until Democratic Rep. Neil Abramson, of New Orleans, walked in during the roll call vote and cast the deciding "yes."

The bill heads next to the full House for debate.

Current law already prohibits smoking in restaurants. Democratic Rep. Gary Smith, of Norco, says bars and casinos should be included in the ban as a way to protect employees who work there.

Opponents said people can choose whether to work at a bar or casino and patrons can choose whether to frequent them if they are worried about the health consequences of second-hand smoke.

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