EDITORIAL: Smoke-free Philly and Jersey / End of tobacco road

Publication Date: 2005-03-13

• Author:Editorial
• Publication:Philadelphia (PA) Inquirer

Philadelphia, a city of 1.4 million people, could go smoke-free this week. That's big news. Even bigger would be a ban on indoor smoking in public settings and workplaces across New Jersey, a state of more than 8.5 million. With that city and state being neighbors - as well as close to smoke-free New York - the move toward smoke-free indoor spaces offers far-reaching benefits for their citizens' health and improved quality of life.

Good for Philadelphia's City Council, then, as it is poised to vote Thursday to limit smoking in bars, restaurants and other workplaces...

Gov. Codey is right to press for a truly statewide measure. (And this issue should transcend any deals on whether to permit slots at the Meadowlands Racetrack.)...

By clearing the air indoors, Philadelphia and New Jersey will help to save thousands of lives.