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.

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

Comments

nick on Jun 13, 2009 11:31 pm

if all the cry babies who complain about cigarette smoke, would think about all the things in this world that can help kill them, they may find that trucks cars and such creat more problems than
anything. bartenders complaing about smoke should have thought about it when they decided to
become bartender, and anyone else who works in bars.
more people die in car accidents, should everyone stop driving?
how can people complain about smoke, when they go to a bar, then drive after drinking. are not these same people who complain taking my life in their hands by being on the road, some even beyond drunk, but still driving.
need common sense to show up sooner or later.

Brian on Dec 12, 2008 4:08 pm

I am a bartender and the smoking ban has DESTROYED my income.

Go around and ask restaurant workers how the ban has affected them and most will say the same thing.

3rd shift diner servers have seen their income PLUMMET because of this.

Restaurant bartenders have seen a significant drop in their incomes as their regulars skip happy hour and just go home.

Perhaps if this law was actually left up to the people of the commonwealth it would be different, but we had little to no say in the matter. It was all done late at night behind closed doors.

So you don't like second hand smoke? There were plenty of places you could go that were already non-smoking. Its a bar, or a diner. They serve coffee or alcohol. People like to go out, unwind after work, drink a beer, or a cup of coffee and have a cigarette and talk with friends. Get over yourselves. If you didn't like the smoke, go somewhere else.

The decision should have been left up to the bar or restaurant owner whether they wanted to go non-smoking or not. It should not have been dictated by our so called representatives who didn't seem to even consult the people that the smoking ban most would impact.

If you didn't like a smoky bar...then maybe you should just stay home...that's my opinion, don't ruin it for the rest of the population that didn't have a problem with it, or who made their income on that part of the population. Smokers tended to be friendlier customers, and they tipped a heck of a lot better than non-smokers.

So now you have your smoke free bars. Hope you enjoy them, because your bartender hates you.

Some SCIENTIFIC PROOF PLEASE on Sep 10, 2008 9:57 pm

Okay just to start out, I am a non smoker who also doesnt enjoy anyone blowing smoke in my face. My problem is this however....

They say second hand smoke kills people right? I am not saying it doesnt, but how do they arrive at this conclusion?

When you do an experiment, you have to have a control. I dont see this as possible in our world with all the pollution that we drowned our bodies with every day not even realizing it. Unless the control is given only pure oxygen (not even possible), living in a filtered room with no pollutants at all, only ingesting 100 percent pure organic food that hasnt been treated with any hormones, pestisides, or anything else, and drinking only pure spring water, how can they call it a control? Not to mention genetic history. See my point? Its not even possible to measure the real risk here.

Who is to say that all of the horrible stuff we injest everyday isnt causing many of the problems? I mean hell, they say deodorant can give you cancer, as well as over cooking your meat, and even elements founds in plastics that we use everyday. My point is that today, everything we do, eat, and drink can cause cancer. Not to mention the pollution we are breathing everytime we step outside from cars, trucks, and factories.

I bet more than half of you didnt even know that the water that comes from your tap has medicine in it. I am talking heart medicine, anti seizure medicine, anti-psychotics, you name it and its in there. Research and you'll see, they dont come out and tell you about it because they DONT know the long term affects of these things.

Do I am people smoking around me or my kids? Absolutely not! I enjoy smoke free places but I have no problems avoiding ones that allow smoking. I dont see what the fuss is all about though. If I know a place of business allows it, I give my money to someone else. However in the end I guess my point is, I am tried of people claiming scientific proof for things that really there arent any for. This doesnt just regard smoking either but everything. It isnt even possible to have scientific proof, so stop trying to lie and just tell the truth, you dont want it around you and smokers SHOULD be more considerate of those that dont.

JT on Sep 05, 2008 1:23 pm

Jim, yes you do have a choice...stop smoking! And lets not forget why health care in this country is so high...heart attack, stroke, cancer, just to name a few, and are people getting these illness from eaing carrot sticks? I choose at a very young age not to smoke because i did'nt want to die in a nursing home like my grandmother did, sure I guess i'm stronger than you, but because you are weak does'nt mean I need to breath your "toxic air". Kill your self on your own time and let the strong survive.

Jim on Sep 04, 2008 5:21 am

YOU CHOOSE TO WORK IN A BAR WHERE YOU KNOW PEOPLE SMOKE, YOU CHOOSE TO EAT IN A RESTURAUNT THAT YOU KNOW HAS A SMOKING SECTON, SO THERFOR YOU CHOOSE TO BREATH MY SECOND HAND SMOKE. WOWWWWW, YOU KNOW WHAT , IT MUST BE NICE TO HAVE ALL THOSE CHOICES, BECAUSE NOW I AS A SMOKER I HAVE NO CHOICE. ALL YOU PEOPLE CAN CONTINUE TO PRAISE OUR GOVERNMENT ON WHAT A FINE JOB THEY RE DOING AND ONE MORNING YU MAY WAK UP AND FIND ONE OF YOUR FREEDOMS MISSING. YOU GIVE THEM AN INCH AND THEY WILL EVENTUALLY TAKE A MILE. YOU REMEMBER THE WAR TAX THAT GEORGE WASHINGTON STARTED AND WAS SPPOSED TO STOP AFTER THE WAR, MAN THATS A LONG WAR AND WERE STILL PAYING TAXES. S GO AHEAD ND CONTIONUE TO LET THIS OVERNMANT MAKE DECISIONS FOR YOU AND PRETTY SOON WE WONT FEEL SORRY FOR THESE COMMUNIST COUNTRIES, WE WILL BECOME ONE!!!!

Aaron Renles on Aug 08, 2008 1:18 pm

This entire issue is crap. There are more than enough non-smoking venues. As with capitalism, the market place, not government should make determination such as this. Bear in mind our elected officials are, for the most part, no more than winners of popularity contests. Few if any have the knowledge necessary to make an intellegent, just and/or equatable decision on anything.
Because of this simple fact andother emerges. Government is awash in waste, and any elected official has a very simple long term goal: To be re-elected by appearing to be doing something. God gave us Ten laws, and if properly interpreted, no more are needed. Yes, I am a smoker. I do everything possible to avoid having my pleasure interfere with the comfort or health of those around me. It's called courtesy, and the lack of it is piss-poor reason to have any government pass laws as a substitute for it.

Pete on Aug 07, 2008 11:52 am

Here in New York, we had all the resistance to the anti-smoking laws at first too.
But over time people came to realize that it can and does work. People that own bars didn't go out of business, bowling centers saw an increase in business from people that brought their families to bowl in a smoke free enviroment and restaurants saw an increase in overall numbers. We are starting to see more laws come into play to ban smoking from playgrounds and doorways to businesses too.
Enjoy the fresh air and good luck.

Dani on Jul 10, 2008 3:11 pm

I'm a nonsmoking bartender of 17 years and I will not feel sorry for these smokers when this law goes into effect! There is never any compassion from smokers about non-smokers so why should I give them any?! When I'm working I'm moving around not sitting in one place right next to the person with the cigarette blowing right into my face! I have to honestly say that it is when I am a customer that the smoking bothers me the most! This bull about the 20% food is what's going to ruin the business for my area. It should be across the board not just hurt the bars that have good food! And now I read if we have a separate dining room the bar can still be smoking! Great! Now everyone can be in one area stinking up the place! This is going to help how?

GW on Jul 08, 2008 9:58 am

Everyone is talking about how great it will be when the "BARS" are non-smoking. Now your lungs can be clean while you poison your liver. I rather sit next to a smoker than be on the road with a bunch of intoxicated people. Remember DUI is also against the law.

Anthony on Jun 25, 2008 6:01 pm

I own a bar in pa and I think that the smoking ban is a great idea but I don't like the way they are going about it. They want to make it so if a business's yearly income of food is more than 20 percent they have to become non-smoking. This is an unfair practice. I think it should be across the board. I'm being punished because I sell more food than the other guy?

Klaus Riehart on May 10, 2008 8:16 pm

Question: if non smokers are so darned worried about clean fresh air ... why don't THEY go outside?

And, for all those concerned about the workers ... just check out where they go on break: they go outside and suck down more cigs in 15 minutes than most smoking patrons do in a couple hours!

ruby on May 09, 2008 4:05 pm

I am a performer who would love to get more gigs in smoke free places! I believe that there will be many more patrons in bars and restaurants once the ban is 100%. The public is changing. People want to live longer and healthier.
Smokers, what's wrong with going outside to smoke? When I lasted visited New York City, the streets were filled with car fumes and cigarettes! You don't even have to light up when you are outside, just breath deep! In contrast, he inside bars and cafes were a wonderful breath of fresh air, not to mention hotels and museums. Long live the smoke free!

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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