Smoking inside N.C prison buildings would end under a bill given final legislative approval Tuesday.

Supporters said the goal was to reduce health problems associated with secondhand smoke.

The House earlier this month passed a version that exempted Correction Department employees and inmates' visitors, but voted 70-43 Tuesday on a broader version sought by the Senate that bans indoor smoking at all of the state's 76 prisons.

"The Department of Corrections told us that was simply not workable and they would prefer to have all the buildings nonsmoking," said Rep. Hugh Holliman, D-Davidson, the bill's chief proponent in the House.

Rep. Curtis Blackwood, R-Union, argued that other illnesses associated with drug abuse and HIV/AIDS among prisoners are more prevalent and should be addressed before dealing with tobacco-related health problems. He and others also said the department should make such decisions.

Inmate health care cost $138 million for the fiscal year that ended June 30, not including dental and mental health services.

The Senate passed the measure 40-1 Tuesday night.

The bill now goes to Gov. Mike Easley for his signature.