DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Legislature approved a statewide ban on indoor smoking Tuesday that supporters said would save countless lives, boost public health and protect thousands of Iowa workers.

The bill heads to Gov. Chet Culver, who has pledged to sign it into law. That means thousands of bars, restaurants and other public facilities would become smoke-free by July 1.

“I’m a former smoker and I watched tobacco shorten the lives of both of my parents, so this is personal to me,” said Rep. Phil Wise, D-Keokuk. “This is a life and death issue.”

Bargainers from the House and Senate worked into Monday night negotiating a compromise that would allow only casinos and the Iowa Veterans Home to be exempt from the smoking ban.

The House approved the compromise 52-48 on Tuesday, then approved the larger measure 54-45. The Senate quickly followed suit, approving the compromise 26-24 and sending the bill to Culver on a 28-22 vote.

If Culver approves the bill, Iowa would become the 30th state to enact restrictions on public smoking, joining neighboring Illinois and Minnesota.

“Governor Culver congratulates the House and Senate for working together on this important initiative, which will make Iowa a healthier state, and he looks forward to signing the bill into law,” said Culver spokesman Brad Anderson.

Debate on the issue has raged all year at the Statehouse, with supporters warning of deadly second-hand smoke and critics worried about trampling business owners’ rights.

“We’ve had a long, transparent, open and honest discussion over the past few weeks,” said Rep. Tyler Olson, D-Cedar Rapids. “This truly is historic legislation, historic for the public health aspects and historic for the workplace safety aspect. This is focused on the right of all Iowans to breathe clean air.”

A coalition of health, medical and consumer groups pushed for the smoking ban, which would be enforced on a complaint basis by the Department of Public Health. An initial fine would be $100.

Lawmakers eased opposition from the powerful gambling lobbyists by issuing a limited exemption for casinos. Under the bill, smoking would be allowed only on the casino floor but not at the casinos’ bars and restaurants.

Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, criticized “the blatant discrimination between casinos and private business owners.” He predicted that lawmakers would next move on issues such as fat-laden fast foods.

“The last I heard cigarette smoking is legal in the state of Iowa,” he said. “I think it is nothing more than government intrusion. How much government do we want in people’s lives?”

Other lawmakers acknowledged the casino exemption is the bill’s biggest flaw.

Rep. McKinley Bailey, D-Webster City, said lawmakers were granting exemptions for giant gambling corporations, but not for mom and pop businesses. Rep. Mike May, R-Spirit Lake, said, “I have a philosophical problem paying homage to casinos.”