Relevant Areas to be Smoke-Free in 90 Days HARRISBURG, Pa., June 13
HARRISBURG, Pa., June 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today
signed into law the Clean Indoor Air Act, which will protect Pennsylvanians
from the deadly health effects of secondhand smoke by prohibiting smoking in
most public places, including restaurants, workplaces and a portion of casino
floors.
"All Pennsylvanians will benefit from the persistence of advocates and
legislators who refused to quit working until we had joined dozens of other
states in banning smoking in most public places," Governor Rendell said as he
signed the law today in Ambler before an enthusiastic audience including
advocates who have worked for years to enact the legislation.
"Smoking and secondhand smoke kills and costs our health care system
billions of dollars in Pennsylvania. It only makes sense for us to attack this
problem and the public overwhelmingly supports these protections. The members
of the conference committee that developed this measure are to be
congratulated on achieving a long sought compromise that will benefit the
people of the Commonwealth."
The smoking ban is an initiative from the Governor's Prescription for
Pennsylvania, a comprehensive health care reform plan which strives to make
health care more affordable and accessible while improving quality.
A 2006 report from the U.S. Surgeon General documented the serious and
deadly health effects of secondhand smoke on healthy non-smokers, which
include developmental effects in children, heart disease in adults and cancer
in sites beyond the lungs.
The legislation, Senate Bill 246, prohibits smoking in a public place or a
workplace and lists examples of what is considered a public place. The bill
allows for some exceptions, including a private residence (except those
licensed as a child-care facility), a private social function where the site
involved is under the control of the sponsor (except where the site is owned,
leased, or operated by a state or local government agency) and a wholesale or
retail tobacco shop. It also imposes penalties for those establishments not in
compliance, as well as those individuals smoking in prohibited areas.
Establishments will have a 90-day phase-in period to allow for necessary
changes to come in to compliance with the new law. During this time, the
Pennsylvania Department of Health will implement its plans for information,
education and awareness to the general public and businesses about the
requirements of the new legislation, and provide technical assistance to
businesses in the implementation of no smoking policies.
In a signing letter to members of the General Assembly, the Governor noted
that he shared the concerns of many citizens and some legislators that an even
more comprehensive clean indoor air act can become law. He said he was
particularly sympathetic to those citizens in Allegheny County, Scranton and
other municipalities and believes it would be right and fair for state law to
allow for the preservation of their forward-thinking local ordinances in
addition to the ordinance adopted by the City of Philadelphia.
To learn more about this new legislation, visit www.health.state.pa.us ,
or for help in quitting smoking go to www.determinedtoquit.com or the helpline
at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). For additional information on the
Governor's innovative Prescription for Pennsylvania health care reform plan,
please visit www.rxforpa.com .
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out
more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly
newsletter, visit his Web site at: www.governor.state.pa.us .
EDITOR'S NOTE: The text of Governor Rendell's signing letter is below.
To the Honorable General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
Today I signed Senate Bill 246, The Clean Indoor Air Act. This law is an
important, long fought and necessary step toward protecting the health of
millions of our citizens from the documented dangers of second hand smoke.
Pennsylvania has waited too long to join the ranks of the other dozens of
states that have enacted indoor smoking bans. The members of the conference
committee are to be congratulated on a long sought compromise that is a
quality product. Make no mistake, Senate Bill 246 will allow millions of
Pennsylvanians the right to breathe easier.
Although I enthusiastically signed this bill, I do share the concerns of
many of our citizens, and some legislators, who think we can and should do
better. This law was many years in the making and the day will come when an
even more comprehensive clean indoor air act will be the law of the land. I
am particularly sympathetic to those citizens in Allegheny County, Scranton
and other municipalities who led the way on this public health issue, only to
have their forward thinking ordinances overturned. It would be right and fair
for state law to allow for the preservation of these forward thinking local
ordinances in addition to the ordinance adopted by the City of Philadelphia.
This issue has not fallen on deaf ears and in signing this bill, I trust the
General Assembly will work toward that end.
Edward G. Rendell, Governor
CONTACT:
Chuck Ardo
717-783-1116
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
