A bill to prohibit smoking within 25 yards of a hospital has been killed:

The measure sponsored by Rep. Johnny Shaw, a Bolivar Democrat, failed 9-6 in the Agriculture Committee on Tuesday, while the others either failed or were taken off notice in an earlier subcommittee.

The companion to Shaw's measure failed in the Senate earlier this month, even though Shaw said it would have been reconsidered had the measure passed committee.

Opponents of the legislation said it's not necessary because hospitals can currently set such bans without a statewide mandate.

More on this and other anti-smoking measures taking the dirt nap see Tom Humphrey.

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