Pennsylvania Bans Smoking… With Exceptions

Pennsylvania Bans Smoking… With Exceptions in General Healthcare

Late last week, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell signed a bill that will ban smoking in most public places.

It’s a move that Governor Rendell declared as a very important step to improving the state's health, reported the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

And as we’ve covered before, banning smoking in public places does have real evidence that it improves public health.

But the smoking ban in Pennsylvania is getting mixed reactions.

Some say it will hurt business, while others argue the smoking ban is taking rights away from citizens.

State and city officials are also wary of the ban because it hasn’t been decided how the new law will be enforced. And with the ban set to start in 90 days, it’s surprising those details haven’t yet been ironed out.

“[W]e’re going to have to wait to hear from the state to get all the details on how to go about [enforcing the law]. We have no definite information now,” said a spokesperson for a Pennsylvania county Health Department.

While the law bans smoking in most public places, including bars, restaurants, and workplaces, there are a handful of exceptions.

The ban won’t apply to bingo halls, nursing homes, and private clubs.

Critics say the law shouldn’t have these exceptions, arguing it doesn’t protect a worker’s right to a smoke-free workplace, wrote the Tribune-Review Article.

“It’s like saying that 80 percent of West Virginia coal mine workers have to wear safety equipment and the other 20 percent don’t,” said Pennsylvania Restaurant Association President, Kevin Joyce.

Still, some point out, a lenient smoking ban is better than nothing.

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