Smoking Ban Passes June 10 2008
Rendell, who has advocated a smoking ban as a way to reduce health care costs, has said he plans to sign the bill.
It would take effect 90 days after being signed into law, banning cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking in restaurants, office buildings, schools, sports arenas, theaters and bus and train stations.
By no means will Pennsylvania’s law be the nation’s toughest: A dozen exemptions will ensure that smoking can continue at numerous bars and taverns, portions of casino floors, private clubs and elsewhere. In fact, Philadelphia’s year-and-a-half-old ban goes farther in some places, banning smoking in the two casinos that are planned on its waterfront.
The exemptions prompted the American Lung Association to withhold its endorsement, while some other public health advocates grudgingly accepted the bill. Greenleaf and others who had pressed for the strongest possible bill also promised to return to it in the near future to strengthen it.
No immediate impacts will be felt, at least until Senator Obama returns to the Keystone State for a campaign event.
He’ll have to smoke in his car.
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