Anti-smoking bill delayed at least another month

Publication Date: 2008-04-01

• Author:Tom Barnes
• Publication:Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Groups that want a tough anti-smoking law for Pennsylvania workplaces were upset today when a House-Senate conference committee put off action on a smoke-free bill for nearly a month.

"This is very disappointing," said American Cancer Society official Diane Phillips. "It's just another delaying tactic. This bill has been debated at length since last June and July. There is no doubt about the dangers of second-hand smoke."

The six-member panel, with three House members and three Senate members, had been expected to vote today on a new version of Senate Bill 246, which either would exclude smoking in nearly all public places, including bars, taverns, restaurants, casinos and private fraternal clubs, or else would allow exceptions for some or all of those businesses.

The sharply divided panel voted 4-2 to put off action until April 29, but there's no guarantee a vote will occur then either.