DENVER -- A proposed smoking bill sparked a debate Monday at the Colorado State Capitol.

Some casino employees said they are worried about their health, while casino owners expressed their concern about the money they stand to lose if smokers stop making the drive to Colorado's three gambling towns.

For one of the sponsors of House bill 1269, the issue is that cancer kills people and employees deserve protection from the effects of second-hand smoke.

"When I was young and they were discussing the issues of freedom on the school yard, they said, 'Your freedom to swing your arm stops at the end of my nose,'" said bill sponsor Senator Ken Gordon. "I think by that standard, that is not a freedom people have."

For the gaming industry, the issue of smoking is a matter of money.

"We feel this bill will have a tremendous negative impact on what has been a very positive economic force in the state of Colorado," said John Bohannon of the Isle of Capri Casino.

Opponents of 1269 said revenues of casinos in other states with smoking bans dropped some 30 percent.

"All I'm asking here today is (for you) to consider the revenue loss and the job loss of my team members and the hardship it will cause," Bohannon added.

But blackjack dealer Pam Sullivan asked the committee to consider her hardship now.

"I have been diagnosed with cancer two and a half years ago," she said. "I fear for my health. I truly do fear for health issues that will occur from continued second-hand smoke."

Opponents of the bill said typically nonsmokers do not replace smokers when smoking bans are enacted at casinos. They argued that lost revenue in those situations did not recover quickly.

Nonetheless, the Senate State Affairs committee approved the bill by a vote of 3 to 2. The bill now goes to the full Senate for their consideration.