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Smoking ban's future up in the air 

A proposed statewide ban on smoking inside most public places appears stalled in the Legislature.

But debate on the matter looks to be far from over.

Lawmakers left for their annual spring break earlier this month without voting on legislation that would outlaw smoking in bars, restaurants and workplaces.

A Senate committee endorsed a bill last month that provided a handful of exceptions to the ban but the measure never came up for discussion before the full chamber.

Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, R-Independence, said it isn't likely to resurface after lawmakers return for their wrap-up session April 30.

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