MADISON, Wis. -- A statewide smoking ban cleared another legislative hurdle on Tuesday as the Assembly Committee on Public Health approved the bill in a 6-3 vote, sending the measure to the full chamber for a vote.

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The legislative action comes amid Tuesday's rally held in downtown Madison and a press conference in Milwaukee featuring cycling champion Lance Armstrong. The racing legend and cancer survivor, who appeared in Madison with Gov. Jim Doyle, is a proponent of the ban.

The bill, called the "Breathe Free Wisconsin Act," passed the committee with one amendment, which made a technical change. Another amendment, which would have delayed implementation for Wisconsin's taverns until July 2, 2011, failed to pass. The bill has progressed slowly in both the Senate and Assembly under opposition from bar owners and the powerful Tavern League lobby.

Committee Chairman J.A. "Doc" Hines, R-Oxford, said that there's still no compromise in place to appease those who want to delay the ban's start in taverns.

Hines said that this means there's no guarantee the full Assembly will take up the bill to ban smoking in all bars, restaurants and workplaces starting in 2009.

State Rep. Lee Nerison, R-Westby, who offered the delay amendment, said that it wasn't only for taverns, but for tobacco farmers in his district to find another cash crop to grow.

"With all the small bars and taverns I have, I'm sure they're going to see a decline to start out with. They may get their business back, but in our area I'm sure there will be a small decline," Nerison said.

Rep. Leah Vukmir, R-Wauwatosa, who cast a vote against the measure, said that the Armstrong rally hadn't shaken her opposition to the bill.

"While I find it admirable that Lance Armstrong inspires people with his 'Live Strong' motto, I prefer to live free," said Vukmir.

Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, said that it didn't come down to an issue of freedom, but protection.

"Just because you work in a place, you don't have to put your life and health at risk," said Black.

Despite Tuesday's vote, whether the measure will be brought to the floor is uncertain. The bill is stalled in the Senate after passing a committee there as well, and Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker has said he won't bring it to a vote until a compromise is reached that will get enough votes to pass, WISC-TV reported.

Hundreds Attend Madison Rally

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 people showed up at Madison's Monona Terrace to hear Armstrong urge the Legislature to pass the ban.

Armstrong said that there's a moral obligation to prevent nonsmokers from being forced to breathe secondhand smoke while at work.

"For me as a visitor and a cancer survivor, people say this is about their personal right, and you absolutely have a right to smoke a cigarette when you're alone," said Armstrong. "But when you do it in a public place you're violating someone else's rights, and the government should intervene."

Armstrong was representing his foundation, which is dedicated to fighting cancer across the country. The cyclist fought a very public battle with testicular cancer 11 years ago, and has since been on the President's Cancer Panel, and has fought for smoke-free and cancer funding initiatives in Texas, his home state.

"I feel as a visitor, if it was my state and the vast majority of the people wanted (a smoking ban), the people we elected should represent that," Armstrong said.

Doyle introduced Armstrong at the rally. He also called on lawmakers to vote on the ban, and predicts it would pass easily in both the Republican-controlled Assembly and Democratic-controlled Senate.

Since ending his racing career, Armstrong has become more involved in raising money to fight cancer and other issues related to the disease. Armstrong said Friday that he's never been asked to come to a state to help get a smoking ban passed.

He has said that he believes smoke-free laws are an important way to fight the disease, WISC-TV reported.

While in Madison, Armstrong also reacted to the retirement of Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre.

"To me, he is an ironman. He's been around a long time, played hard the whole time, worked hard the whole time, inspired and encouraged the team the whole time," Armstrong said.

Armstrong said he not only respects Favre, but also Deanna Favre, for their fight against her breast cancer. He talked about how difficult it is to come forward and talk about such a personal battle.