SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- The outcry over the statewide smoking ban isn't strong enough so far to make state lawmakers change their minds about it.

A House committee today overwhelmingly shot down two proposals aimed at easing the law that took effect in January barring smoking in public places.

One would have thrown out the statewide ban entirely. The other would have created smoking licenses handed out by local governments to bars, private clubs and riverboat casinos.

The same committee in previous weeks shot down other proposals that would exempt private clubs such as veterans' halls from the smoking ban.

The only pro-smoking idea the committee approved would let an Algonquin man move forward with opening a store for smoking flavored tobacco. It now moves to the full House.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)