HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Smoke Free Pennsylvania Act, which the House passed thisweek by a vote of 163-38, prohibit smoking in many enclosed or substantially enclosed public places throughout the Commonwealth. Rep. Scott Petri, R-Bucks) approves of the bill.
"Senate Bill 246, which has been the subject of a House-Senate conference committee, is a comprehensive plan that moves toward addressing the public's concern about secondhand smoke," Petri said.
He noted, "This legislation, while not a perfect solution, is a giant step in the right direction."
The compromise package contains a number of exceptions to the ban, including bars, casinos, hotels and tobacco shops. The legislation also exempts Philadelphia from the rules, enabling it to retain themore restrictive anti-smoking ordinance that already exists there.
"My constituents tell me they want smoking banned in restaurants," Petri said. "That will not happen under this bill; however, we are movingl in the right direction."