HARRISBURG — A bill to prohibit smoking in most public places in Pennsylvania generated intense debate in the state House on Friday, but the chamber recessed without a vote on the most extensive — and controversial — amendment.

The Smoke Free Pennsylvania Act would ban smoking in enclosed work places, including bars, restaurants and at least three-quarters of a given hotel's rooms. It would exempt private homes and vehicles unless they are used for child care, as well as cigar bars and retail tobacco stores.

On Friday, the House defeated an amendment that would have prohibited smoking in a car with a child younger than 8, and approved a change to let someone smoke in an office that they own as long as the public does not have access to it.

A lengthy debate occurred over an amendment that would permit smoking in bars or restaurants where food makes up less than 20 percent of gross revenues, at private clubs, in designated rooms off the floor of slots casinos, during certain once-a-year fundraising events and at adults-only bingo and other small games of chance.

Those exceptions, and a few others, were included in an amendment sponsored by Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne. His amendment would restrict local municipalities from passing stricter ordinances.

"The focus of this amendment is to try to move the bar forward in Pennsylvania, try to protect children, try to create more space in Pennsylvania that is smoke-free, but allow adults who choose to smoke to have indoor environments that are permanent," Eachus said.