Advocates of a statewide ban on indoor smoking in public places gather in February 2010 on the east steps of the Capitol. They placed 380 pairs of shoes to represent those Kansans who die annually from second-hand smoke.

Topeka ? Clean air advocates rallied Wednesday, urging passage of a statewide ban on smoking in indoor public places, such as restaurants and bars, and defeat of a proposed bill that contains numerous exemptions.

Stacy Parkinson, Gov. Mark Parkinson’s wife, described House Bill 2642 as “a slap in the face of public health.”

Stacy Parkinson, wife of Gov. Mark Parkinson, speaks Wednesday during American Cancer Society event. Parkinson urged passage of strong statewide ban on smoking in indoor public areas, such as restaurants and bars. She talked about how her father died from cancer when she was 23.

The bill, which is being considered by the House Health and Human Services Committee, was roundly criticized during Kansas Smoke-Free Lobby Day, an event put on by the American Cancer Society.

The clean air advocates favor a bill that has already been approved by the Senate, which is a more comprehensive smoke-free measure. The bill under consideration by the House committee would allow smoking in restaurants and bars that have separate ventilation systems for smoking areas, and that pay $1 per square foot of smoking area for an exemption.

State Health Officer Jason Eberhart-Phillips put together a “Top 10” list of reasons why HB 2642 is “the bad bill.” One of the reasons is that the bill would nullify anti-smoking ordinances in numerous cities, including Lawrence and Topeka.

A strong statewide ban on indoor smoking in public places is needed to reduce the health problems caused by second-hand smoke, advocates said.

After statements by public officials, about 50 supporters of a statewide ban marched to the Capitol where they had earlier placed 380 pairs of shoes on the east steps. The shoes represented the number of Kansans who die each year from second-hand smoke.