The Iowa House of Representatives and Senate have been unable to agree on a ban that would restrict where people can smoke.

The House passed a bill a few weeks ago that would ban smoking in all public places except bars and restaurants with liquor licenses. However, the Iowa Senate rejected the House’s bill and passed one that would ban indoor smoking in all public places statewide.

Student Kristyn Moravetz is concerned about second-hand smoke.

“I think for people who are health conscious, people who don’t want to get sick, people who don’t want to be breathing that smoke shouldn’t have to,” Moravetz said.

According to the American Lung Cancer Association, smoking is responsible for nearly 90 percent of lung cancer deaths. No amount of smoke is safe, according to the American Cancer Society.

However, Billy Cousin, manager of The Fainting Goat, said second-hand smoke isn’t an issue at his restaurant.

“Our filtration system helps out a lot there and, I mean, I never smell smoke in here, it doesn’t affect me at all,” Cousin said.

Currently 18 states do not have smoking bans including Iowa, Wisconsin and Missouri. Twenty states including Minnesota and Illinois ban smoking in all public places.

Cousin thinks his bar’s current set-up would prevent a smoking ban from hurting his business.

“We already have half our restaurant as smoke-free and half our restaurant is smoking.  So people have their choice right now and no one really has complaints,” Cousin said.

Cousin thinks nonsmokers might go out more if there is a total ban. However, other Waverly bars operators don’t think a ban will affect them either way.

Negotiations for the ban started a couple of weeks ago and lawmakers plan to have some type of ban approved before the end of their session next month.