Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Supports City Council Bill to Ban Smoking in Public Places

Publication Date: 2005-03-03

• Author:Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
• Publication:PR Newswire

Mark Schweiker, President & CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, today voiced the Chamber's support of a City Council bill to ban smoking in virtually all public places in Philadelphia. Schweiker said that the success of smoking bans in cities worldwide and the dangers of second-hand smoke influenced the Chamber's decision.

"The facts prove that banning smoking in public places will not adversely affect business," said Schweiker. . . .

Appearing at a news conference with Philadelphia City Councilman Michael Nutter, Museum Catering President Bruce Nichols, members of the Building Owners and Managers Association, and representatives of the American Heart Association, Schweiker recalled that four years ago, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce expressed opposition to a City Council bill which would have enforced smoking limitations in public places. At that time, the Chamber believed that businesses would incur significant financial burdens by altering their structures to meet the specifications of the bill.

In addition to New York City, the Chamber cites examples of smoking restrictions in Boston, California and Texas