NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee First Lady Andrea Conte and other advocates of a bill that would ban smoking in the workplace plan to push for the legislation's passage in a statewide tour.

Video: Coalition Begins Tour To Support Workplace Smoking Ban

Advocates with the Smoke-Free Tennessee coalition kicked off the tour on Monday with a rally outside the Capitol, while Conte will lead a rally supporting the bill in Memphis on Thursday at the newly smoke-free Rendezvous restaurant.

Gov. Phil Bredesen put forth the proposal, which would ban smoking in all enclosed public places and places of employment with two or more employees, including all restaurants and bars.

Exceptions include private residences, except when used as a child or adult-care center; up to 20 percent of the rooms in a hotel or motel; private or semiprivate rooms in nursing homes and long-term care facilities; and private clubs with no employees except when open to the public and outdoor areas of places of employment.

The bill would, however, prohibit smoking within 25 feet of entrances and windows of places required to be smoke-free.

Under the bill, smoking in a nonsmoking area would be punishable by a fine of up to $50.

A person who controls a place designated as nonsmoking under the law and who doesn't comply would be subject to a fine of up to $100 on the first violation, $200 for a secondviolation within one year of the first, and up to $500 for each additional violation within one year.

The bill has not moved since it was assigned to committees in the House and Senate shortly after the General Assembly convened in January. No hearings are currently scheduled.

"As the U.S. Surgeon General said last year -- the debate is over, the science is clear. Secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard that causes premature death and disease in children and nonsmoking adults," said Conte.

Some restaurant owners also voiced their support for the campaign.

"Only approximately 25 percent of Tennesseans smoke and the vast majority of Tennesseans who don't smoke don't want to be in places where other people are smoking. People have a right to smoke but they don't have a right to infect other people with their disease causing chemicals," said Randy Rayburn. Rayburn is part owner of Nashville bar and restaurants Cabana, Midtown Cafe and Sunset Grill.

Close to 1.1 million Tennesseans smoke, or almost 26 percent of the population over age 18, compared to the national average of 22 percent.

For a link to a no smoking Web site, click here.