Only a cynic would say that the compromise plan to forge a statewide smoking ban in Pennsylvania went up in smoke.

But that’s what it looks like.

A legislative panel had formulated the deal, which was far from perfect, but which also was light years ahead of where we are now, which is without anti-smoking legislation.

The proposal has way too many exemptions for places like casinos, as well as a lot of taprooms and bars. But it was still a starting point.

You can only imagine a bunch of senators retreating into the proverbial “smoke-filled room” and taking out the long knives to scuttle the deal.

The Senate voted the legislation down yesterday. It passed overwhelmingly in the House. Both Delco’s senators, Dominic Pileggi, R-9, and Ted Erickson, R-26, voted for the proposal. Democrat Sen. Connie Williams, D-7, of Lower Merion, who represents Haverford, voted against. So did Rep. Bryan Lentz, D-161.

Here’s the problem most of the senators had with the legislation. It superseded any ban that a local municipality had in place. With one exception. That would be for Philadelphia. The move ticked off legislators from places that already had a ban in place.

Lentz indicated that the “ban” wouldn’t be a ban at all, citing all the loopholes to allow smoking.

The measure still should have passed. It could come up for a vote next week. We hope the pols can cut through the smokescreen and vote for a plan the state desperately needs. Is it perfect? No. Far from it.

But it’s better than what we have now. Which is nothing.