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Officials from the American Heart Association and the Oklahoma Department of Health are urging state lawmakers to pursue a more comprehensive statewide smoking ban, the Associated Press reports. Although Oklahoma was one of the first states in the nation to implement a public smoking ban, passing its law in 2003, the legislation allowed smoking in separate rooms in restaurants and bars. However, under the proposed amendment, the smoking ban would be expanded to include all areas of bars and restaurants. A similar measure was proposed last year but failed to advance in the House. Some Oklahoma restaurant and nightclub owners oppose the proposed amendment, contending that it could negatively impact their businesses. They also have opposed an outright ban on smoking, claiming it would have a negative impact on their business, with many owners noting that they have invested thousands of dollars to install comprehensive ventilation systems in their facilities to comply with the 2003 ordinance. Commenting on such concerns, the government relations director for the American Heart Association in Oklahoma City notes that "we view this as a health issue, not a private property issue" (Talley, AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 10/29/09).