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RALEIGH (AP) - Health advocates and lawmakers revived their push Thursday to expand state smoking bans to restaurants, public places and indoor work sites, arguing the health consequences and costs of secondhand smoke can no longer be overlooked.

House Majority Leader Hugh Holliman, a lung cancer survivor who has tried unsuccessfully to significantly broaden prohibitions in the two previous sessions, said workers and patrons deserve to sit in a smoke-free environment.

Lawmakers recently have barred smoking inside prisons, state government buildings and the state motor fleet as the influence of North Carolina's tobacco heritage has waned.

"I know that we'll hear many times that this is a business owners issue but I think the health concerns of secondhand smoke certainly trump the concerns of business owners," Holliman, D-Davidson, said at a Legislative Building news conference. "Anytime the health and safety of our employees or our citizens are at stake, it's a responsible government position to take."

The House narrowly defeated Holliman's bill in 2005 that would have required restaurants to set aside most of their dining space for nonsmokers. A broader bill including restaurants and hotels cleared a committee in 2007 but failed again on the floor in a close vote.

Holliman and others are hopeful this year as a new batch of lawmakers arrived this week and the sour economy may help persuade opponents that the changes would help cut employer and state health care costs.

Some cigarette companies such as Greensboro-based Lorillard and other groups remain opposed to the restrictions, saying they harm private property rights and restaurants and other public places already are choosing to go smoke-free.

"We've got to be so careful about chipping away from individual decisions that people can make for themselves," said Sen. Eddie Goodall, R-Union. "You (already) clearly have a choice when you walk into a restaurant to determine whether they allow smoking or not."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated North Carolina's health care and lost productivity costs attributed to smoking totaled $5.7 billion in 2004. Healthier workers mean lower health insurance costs.

"The amount of money that this state is expending to make this choice ... is staggering," Rep. Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland, a co-sponsor. "The state simply economically can no longer afford to sustain that burden."

This year's bill still would allow smoking in private homes, tobacco shops and cigarette manufacturing plants and up to 20 percent of a hotel's rooms. It also would repeal a 1993 law that prevented local governments from approving anti-smoking ordinances more restrictive than those approved statewide by the Legislature. Establishments that violate the law repeatedly would face fines of up to $200.

Several health and religious advocacy groups, including the American Cancer Society and the Christian Action League of North Carolina, as well as outgoing state health director Leah Devlin, endorse the changes.

"We know we'll have a spirited debate about this bill," Holliman said.