The watered-down smoking ban that won first-round approval from state senators Tuesday is not worth passing. Senators concerned for their constituents’ health should insist on a genuine statewide ban on smoking that applies uniformly throughout the state.

In its original version, the bill proposed by Sen. Joel Johnson of Kearney would prohibit smoking in virtually all workplaces, including restaurants and bars.

As amended on Tuesday, cities and counties could opt out either by a public vote or by the vote of a city council or county board.

The problem with the opt-out provision is that it would eliminate the uniformity that is one of the prime features of the statewide ban.

Revealingly, the Nebraska Restaurant Association, which supported the original version of the bill, said it could not support the amended version that would allow a patchwork of regulations.

The original version would have leveled the playing field among the restaurants and bars who compete for customers. The new version would not.

Sen. Tom White of Omaha, who offered the opt-out amendment, suggested that the Legislature could reconsider the issue in future years if opt-out votes produced a patchwork of regulations.

Why not just do it right the first time?

Passage of a loophole-ridden, halfway measure probably would just delay enactment of the uniform smoking ban that is needed for the health of Nebraska residents.

And there is no question that tobacco smoke is dangerous.

“The debate is over. The science is clear: secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance, but a serious health hazard that causes premature death and disease in children and nonsmoking adults,” Surgeon General Richard Carmona said last year at the release of a new report on secondhand smoke.

“There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure, with even brief exposure adversely affecting the cardiovascular and respiratory system.”

The report goes on to conclude that even sophisticated ventilation systems can ensure that people are protected from secondhand smoke. As one Nebraskan told the Journal Star, “Choosing the nonsmoking section of a restaurant is like choosing the non-peeing section of a pool.”

In some rural communities, customers may have to drive miles to find a smoke-free place to have a drink or meal, or to work as a server, cook or bartender.

A uniform, statewide smoking ban is the fairest and most effective way to make Nebraska a healthier place.