SALT LAKE CITY -- Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clinton, says his bill giving cities the power to ban smoking in private clubs is a back-up bill to an all-out state ban sponsored by Sen. Michael Waddoups, R-West Jordan. Both pieces of legislation amend the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act by removing exemptions for private clubs and taverns. But Ray says his bill, H.B. 166, would allow the ban to go forward piecemeal under the direction of local municipalities. Each city would be able to choose whether or not to remove the private club smoking exemption.

Ray said he does support an indoor smoking ban at the state level, but he said his bill provides an alternative should Waddoups' bill fall through.

The proposals have been unpopular with some private club owners and the tobacco industry who say they appear to be an infringement on personal rights and will negatively affect business.

But when the smoke clears, Ray contends it's simply a matter of public health. Recent studies have spiked concerns over the deadly effects of second-hand smoke. According to experts, tens of thousands of non-smoking Americans die each year from lung cancer and heart disease caused by second-hand smoke.

"The reason we're looking at the ban in the first place is for health reasons," Ray said.

It's clear that legislators are responding to the numbers and to the growing social condemnation of smoking in general. Ray sees indoor smoking as an outright hazard.

"If it was asbestos, or other types of toxins, we wouldn't put up with it for one minute," he said.

Other prominent government officials, including Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, have come out in support of a complete indoor smoking ban.

Ray believes the bills also protect the rights of employees who may be compelled to breathe second hand smoke while working in clubs or taverns. The alternative smoking bill is now in the House Rules Committee, but Ray said he hopes to bring it out onto the floor in the next few days. He said Waddoups' bill is up for a second Senate debate this week.

So far, the session has been running smoothly, according to Ray. The Davis County representative has sponsored 12 active bills, most of which are crime-related. Four of Ray's bills are currently being debated. One of Ray's bills, called the "Children's Trust Fund," allows groups to raise outside money for child abuse prevention.

ztodd@davisclipper.com