From: SMOKEFREE@compuserve.com
Date: Tue, 06/10/08
Many thanks to everyone who advocated this important health legislation.
Bill Godshall
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Pennsylvania has a no-smoking bill
By Tom Barnes
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08162/888847-100.stm
The state Senate this afternoon voted, 41-9, in favor of a bill that bans
smoking in many public places.
The House already had passed the bill, so now it goes to Gov. Ed Rendell
for his signature.
It is a compromise bill that bans smoking in most workplaces and public
spaces.
Last week the Senate, led by all 21 Democrats, had rejected the conference
committee report on a smoking ban by a 31-19 margin.
But today all the Democrats switched their position, saying that while the
smoking ban "isn't perfect," it would protect about 95 percent of public
and work places.
Mr. Rendell has vowed to sign the bill, which would take effect 90 days
after his signature.
The main reason Allegheny County Democrats opposed the bill last week was
that it doesn't permit the county to enact its own smoking ban. The bill
does, however, permit Philadelphia to keep its 2-year-old smoking ban. Some
Allegheny County legislators thought that was unfair.
But Democratic Leader Robert Mellow of Lackawanna said Republican Senate
leaders had agreed to let him submit legislation later to change the
state's Second Class County Code to let Allegheny County adopt a smoking
law of its own. Also, he will introduce a change to the Second Class A City
law, meaning Scranton, to let it adopt a local law.
Allegheny County's previous smoking ban was eliminated in a court
challenge, then Scranton put its measure on hold. Mr. Mellow said that if
the changes to the state codes are adopted, both areas will have another
chance to adopt a local smoking ordinance.
The nine "no" votes today were all Republicans, who considered the smoking
law an intrusion by government in the operation of business.
Sen. Mary Jo White, R-Venango, said that if people don't want to go to
public places where smoking is permitted, they should simply avoid them,
without the state telling people what to do.
"What's next -- the state telling us how much fat we can eat?" she scoffed.
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
First published on June 10, 2008 at 5:13 pm
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State Senate passes indoor smoking ban
By Charles Thompson
Patriot-News
Tuesday June 10, 2008, 5:14 PM
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2008/06/state_senate_passes_indo
or_smo.html
Restaurants, most offices and other public places look like they are going
smoke-free.
The state Senate today approved a bill prohibiting indoor smoking in public
places, with a 41-9 vote. The House passed the legislation last week, so
the Senate vote moves the bill to Gov. Ed Rendell.
Rendell had indicated last week that he would swiftly sign the bill. The
measure would take effect 90 days after Rendell signs it.
The measure would allow some exceptions lawmakers had demanded. All but two
of Pennsylvania's casinos would allow smoking sections. The Hollywood
Casino at Penn National Race Course would maintain a smoking area.
Neighborhood bars and some hotel and motel rooms would be reserved for
smoking.
Lawmakers and public health groups have wrestled over the legislation for
more than a year. Some health advocates have complained that there are too
many exceptions, but most said the legislation would cut down on the risks
of secondhand smoke in many workplaces.
The bill allows Philadelphia to retain its own smoking ban, which bars
smoking in the city's two casinos. Rendell had said that he would veto any
bill that revokes the city's smoking ordinance.
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