Pa. lawmaker calls for stricter smoking ban

Publication Date: 2013-06-05

• Author:Myles Snyder
• Publication:WHTM

A Pennsylvania lawmaker has introduced legislation that would update the Clean Indoor Air Act and ban smoking in public facilities that are currently exempt from the law.

Rep. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) said his proposal, House Bill 1485, would eliminate all exemptions to the statewide smoking ban passed in 2008 and allow local municipalities to enact their own ordinances.

Exemptions currently include bars that get 20 percent or less of their revenue from food sales, certain parts of casinos, private social clubs, hotel rooms, cigar bars, and truck stops with shower facilities.

"The effects of secondhand smoke have proven dangerous to all who are surrounded by it," Scavello said Wednesday. "We shouldn't be requiring employees in casinos, bars and other industries to face health risks associated with secondhand smoke any longer; now is the time to adjust our current law."...