The push for a statewide smoking ban gained steam Wednesday.

The American Heart Association held a rally at the state capitol, urging Kentucky lawmakers to pass the ban.

The legislation would outlaw smoking in all indoor public places in Kentucky.

The UK Dance Team was on hand to start the rally, which included testimony from one of the members, Reagan Judd.

Judd shared a story of how she, at 19 years old, suffered from a heart condition and had to have open heart surgery.

Many of the people at the rally support the smoking ban, even though the bill's chief sponsor admits it's going to be tough to get it passed this year.

"I don't think the smoke free bill will get through this year," Rep. Susan Westrom, a Democrat from Lexington said. "My intent was to educate our legislators as wonderful people as the heart association, cancer association, lung association, have signed on to this bill."

If the bill passes, indoor smoking at all Kentucky restaurants, stores, and any public place will be prohibited.

Rep. Westrom says one reason for sponsoring the bill is because of stories she's heard from people who have developed lung cancer from being around secondhand smoke.