Pennsylvania Senate Approves Smoking Ban
By Charlie Brett
16:53, June 11th 2008
27 votes
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Pennsylvania Senate Approves Smoking Ban

Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Senate approved a ban on smoking in public places throughout the state, after it initially rejected the bill. It took only a week for the Senate to change its mind. The bill was approved on a 41-9 vote.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the bill has to be signed by Gov. Rendell, who said through a spokesman that he would approve it. In 90 days after he signs it, the ban will take effect.

The law will ban smoking in all public places, including taxis, trains and buses, even in bus stations. The restaurants also have to comply. But, like every law has exceptions, this one allows smoking in certain workplaces and casinos outside of Philadelphia, cigar bars and also bars that have a 20% or less of annual revenue from food sales. The new law will also allow smoking in private homes, personal cars and facilities that are supposed to help rehabilitate persons who had drug and alcohol problems.

State Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, chairman of the joint House-Senate conference committee, said that he first introduced antismoking legislation 15 years ago. The current bill, which he made, was not perfect, but he believes that it will strengthen in several years.

Initially, the bill was not approved by a group of Democratic senators because it didn’t allow other municipalities to enact their own bans, reported the Philadelphia Inquirer.



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