SACRAMENTO (AP) — A proposal that sought to ban smoking in apartments and condominiums has failed in an Assembly committee.

The bill from Democratic Assemblyman Marc Levine of San Rafael was rejected Wednesday on a 5-2 vote.

AB746 would have created designated smoking areas outside the complexes. The area would have to be at least 20 feet from the building or 100 feet from a playground or pool.

Several California counties and cities prohibit smoking in multi-unit residential buildings. The American Lung Association and other supporters say a statewide ban would protect residents from secondhand smoke drifting between units.

Opponents say the prohibition would be difficult to enforce.

A spokesman for Levine says the lawmaker will try to have the bill reconsidered after its defeat in the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.