Statewide smoking ban nears

Publication Date: 2008-03-10

• Author:Tom Barnes
• Publication:Pittsburgh (PA) Post-Gazette

In Harrisburg, House and Senate negotiators are hammering out restrictions for public places

House-Senate negotiators are closing in on a proposal to ban, or at least limit, smoking in most public places and work places around the state, such as restaurants, bars, taverns, clubs and casinos...

Senate Democratic leader Bob Mellow of Scranton, a member of the House-Senate conference committee that is writing the smoking ban, agreed it's time for action. He's hoping to enact a bill before the summer recess starts June 30.

"We've been reviewing [the pros and cons of a ban] long enough," he said. "I've been in the Senate a long time and this isn't the first time we've talked about banning smoking. It's time for the committee to act."

The six-member panel will hold two important hearings this week -- today and Thursday here at the Capitol, to take final testimony regarding where cigarette smoking should be banned or allowed.