A state House committee is hoping to forge a compromise on a workplace smoking ban that can clear the Legislature this year. The effort to ban smoking in offices, factories, bars, and restaurants stalled last year as lawmakers debated whether to exempt Detroit casinos, cigar bars, and tobacco shops.

House Regulatory Reform Committee Chairman Bert Johnson expects a compromise will start to take shape in coming weeks to outlaw most workplace smoking, while protecting the economic interests of businesses that cater to smokers. Johnson says he plans to take his committee hearings on the road. He says that will include visits to casinos, to bars and restaurants, and to a hospital cancer ward.