DENVER -- State lawmakers on Wednesday are considering imposing a new state-wide smoking ban.

The legislation to be introduced in the state senate would ban smoking in public places like bars and restaurants. Its sponsor said a state-wide ban would ensure "a level playing field" for Colorado businesses.

Opponents of local smoking bans have argued that they force customers who want to smoke to take their business to a neighboring city where no smoking ban exists.

Several cities and counties across Colorado have already enacted smoking bans, but a statewide ban would supersede all of them.

Democratic Senator Dan Grossman is spearheading the effort but he's also winning support from other Democratic and Republican lawmakers, and business leaders.

Fort Collins, Greeley, Pueblo, Alamosa, Arvada, Aspen, Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Montrose, Snowmass, Superior, Telluride and unincorporated Boulder County already have similar bans. Some groups have been trying to ban smoking in Denver for years.

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