MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky — "It's not just an annoyance, it's a known cause of death and disease and we want it out of public places."

That's what many health advocates and one lawmaker say about smoking.

It's happened in a lot of cities, but this time the debate is on a much larger scale and would make the entire state of Kentucky smoke free.

A state representative is backing a bill that would put a stop to smoking in all public areas.

This means no smoking in workplaces, public buildings, offices, restaurants, and even bars.

Representative Susan Westrom said the non-smoking workers, the waitresses and bartenders shouldn't have to choose between their health and a paycheck.

She said if you work eight hours in a smoke-filled place that's the same as smoking a pack a day.

There are lots of regulars at Little Castle.

"They get really packed a lot of times," customer Carol Anderson said. But as much as she loves this place, the habits of some of the others get the best of her.

"Sometimes I come in here and it's hard to breath," she said.

It's the smoking she's talking about.

The same topic is sparking debate across the state.

"As a business owner, you invite the public into your establishment, you're responsible for their health," Representative Westrom said.

But the restaurant owner said this initiative will do more harm than good. He points to another restaurant he ran that went out of business after the city of Paducah forced it to go smoke-free.

The Pasta House went smoke free a few years ago. The owner said at first he did lose a few customers but many of them came back after a while, and most of his employees liked the change.

"They could smell the difference. They could breathe easier," he said.

It might surprise you but the owner of a restaurant that went smoke-free voluntarily isn't on board with this new proposal.

"I'm not a fan of big government telling business what to do," he said.

But at Little Castle, Carol would be okay with a smoke-free world as long as it doesn't put her favorite place out of business.

Illinois has a similar ban that went into effect in 2008. In Tennessee, a ban prohibits smoking in public places except bars.  In Missouri there is no state-wide ban but a law that prohibits smoking in some enclosed public places.