AUSTIN, TEXAS -- Experts say secondhand smoke kills 53,000 non-smokers a year and is a known cause of lung cancer, heart disease and other health problems.
That's a big reason why advocates of Senate Bill 544 say it has to pass.
Tuesday afternoon, members of the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee will hear testimony on the measure, which would make all public and indoor workplaces in Texas, including restaurants and bars, smoke-free.
The bill would also keep cities with smoke-free ordinaces, like Austin, from allowing any smoking exceptions.
Right now, Austin has grandfathered in some bars and restaurants, like Trudy's.
That means you can smoke there as long as certain ventilation systems are in place. The state bill would end that. Those in favor of the bill say all Texans would benefit.
"We've seen elsewhere in other states where similar bills have passed. There's actually a reduction in cardiac visits to emergency by 25 percent, so this is a health care bill; it does reduce health care costs to have a healthy community," said Dr. John Carlo, supporter.
Senate Bill 544 is a companion to House Bill 5, filed by Representative Myra Crownover of Denton.
House Bill 5 is still stuck in committee.
If either bill is signed into law, Texas would become the 25th state to enact a comprehensive smoke free ordinance.
