9
JUL

PA Smoking Ban to be Weakened

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In a minor victory, the Pennsylvania Senate came to their senses and decided to drop the restrictive ban on smoking they were going to pass, and are moving towards a weaker smoking ban which allows more exceptions. Not nearly enough, of course.


HARRISBURG -- The state House yesterday changed tactics on legislation that would ban smoking in public places and workplaces, including offices, restaurants, taverns and casinos.

House members spent two hours Friday arguing about House Bill 1541, a restrictive bill offered by Rep. Michael Gerber, D-Montgomery. It allows for only limited exceptions where smoking would be allowed.

But yesterday, House members decided to shift their attention to Senate Bill 246, a weaker smoking ban that the Senate approved 10 days ago. The House could begin discussion of that bill as soon as tomorrow.

Yesterday, Mr. Gerber said he wants to make Senate Bill 246 tougher by going back to the original language offered by its sponsor, Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, R-Montgomery. Both Mr. Gerber and Mr. Greenleaf want the legislation to permit smoking in only a few places, such as private clubs, retail tobacco shops, a portion of the rooms in a hotel or motel, and in private homes as long as the homes aren't used for day care.

Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, however, plans to offer amendments to permit smoking in more places than that. "There is division in our [House Democratic] caucus over the bill," Mr. Gerber admitted.

Mr. Gerber's goal is to send a smoking-ban bill to Gov. Ed Rendell for signature before legislators leave for the summer. Mr. Rendell has insisted on banning smoking in most workplaces and public places as part of his Prescription for Pennsylvania, which also includes a push for health insurance for the 800,000 adults in the state who are not now covered.

Mr. Rendell said yesterday he hopes the bill that is sent to him for signature is tougher than the one the Senate approved. It permits smoking in private clubs (described as adults-only fraternal and social organizations); cigar bars, restaurants and taverns where food sales are less than 20 percent of the business; on 25 percent of a casino's gambling floor; and private rooms in nursing homes and treatment facilities.

Source

Jul 09, 2007 7:34 am   Email to a Friend

Comments

Jessica on May 08, 2008 11:36 am

I am a smoker and a mother. I dont smoke in my house or my car. If i decide to go out to eat i sit in the non smoking section. I make the necessary arrangements to accomadate my sons health where ever i am or where ever i go. All this fuss about second hand smoke is a waaste of time. There are a millon other things out there EVERY day that are hazerdous to your haelth and your childrens health take the time to worry about the things you can control and stop crying about the things you cant change. Something somewhere is going to upset someone at some point in time, just smile and take it like everyone else.

Lora on Apr 20, 2008 7:06 pm

I am a food & beverage manager and a former smoker. I work for a private country club and they have just passed a no smoking policy at the bar or in the restaurant or on the patio. Since, our bar business has doubled on the weekends. My question is: Why should one have to suffer second hand smoke sitting at a private bar? My, my what money an buy.......

Meanie on Apr 19, 2008 6:31 pm

Your whining is just too rich but you need to cut that crap out and do something about it , ya crybabies ! .... long live smoking everywhere.

Marge on Apr 15, 2008 10:50 am

Slowly the bars are going nonsmoking . . .but not fast enough. Hope this gets settled soon. I can't imagine working under those conditions . . . and what can be taking so long to make this decision.

Jane on Mar 31, 2008 2:02 pm

I work at a Bar in Pa and I'm sick and tired of hearing people say "If that non smoking law goes through I wont come to this bar any more"
Well thats just to bad! sit and smoke and drink at home by yourself! stink up your own clothes and lungs!

For every one of those smokers who "Don't come to the bar anymore" There will be 10 more nonsmokers who will now come to the bar and eat and drink because then they can sit and enjoy the taste of the food and drinks and the freedom of non polluted nasty cigarette smoke filling up their lungs and clinging to their clothes.. I myself am so sick and tired after a shift of bartending, going home with my eyes and sinuses burning and the nasty smell of stinking cigarette smoke all over my hair and my work clothes..

Terri on Mar 23, 2008 1:16 pm

My son's band (all 3 members are non-smokers)is based in PA, but has played in VT and DE as well. We have to travel to other states to enjoy the music and to avoid coming home reeking of stale smoke. The clubs and bars in the other states have no lack of patrons and in fact may be busier than the places in PA that allow smoking. Smoker's rights? Give me a break! If smoker's were just hurting themselves, who cares...it's their choice. But they actually hurt everyone. It's not my choice to breathe disgusting, smoke-filled air!!! We need a strong ban NOW, not a watered down version.

Tina on Mar 11, 2008 6:39 pm

It is very frustrating working as a waitress in the state of Pennsylvania waiting for the ban on smoking to take effect.

The diner I work at is filled with coffee drinking chain smokers who have no regard for others as they sit there for 1 1/2 hours smoking 10 cigarettes! I do work in the non-smoking section, however I do need to go thru the whole diner to get there from the kitchen.

The air quality is so poor, by the time I leave work my chest hurts and I reek of smoke myself. It is awful that this state is taking so long to pass the ban. Ridiculous actually. Enough is enough, the second hand smoke is killing me.

Tim on Aug 27, 2007 8:31 am

You hyopricrites talk about FREEDOM. What about MY RIGHT TO BREATH FRSH, CLEAN, AIR?!?!

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