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Bill To Ban Smoking In California Condos, Apartments Defeated

SACRAMENTO (CBS / AP) -- A proposal that sought to ban smoking in apartments and condominiums has failed in an Assembly committee.

The bill from Democratic Assemblyman Marc Levine of San Rafael was rejected Wednesday on a 5-2 vote.

AB746 would have created designated smoking areas outside the complexes. The area would have to be at least 20 feet from the building or 100 feet from a playground or pool.

Several California counties and cities prohibit smoking in multi-unit residential buildings. The American Lung Association and other supporters say a statewide ban would protect residents from secondhand smoke drifting between units.

Opponents say the prohibition would be difficult to enforce.

A spokesman for Levine says the lawmaker will try to have the bill reconsidered after its defeat in the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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