State Status

Any Preemption

News Summary

Philly Smoking Ban May Soon Be Reality

Publication Date: 2005-03-08

Author:AP
Publication:WPVI-TV Philadelphia

Philadelphia City Council plans to vote March 17th on a proposed ban on smoking in bars, restaurants and other workplaces.

Council's Committee on Public Health and Human Services voted 6-to-0 yesterday in favor of the bill.

The measure is supported by Mayor John Street, co-sponsored by nine of 17 council members, and endorsed by an array of business and public-health groups.

Yesterday, the committee heard from bar and restaurant owners who oppose the ban, saying they believe it will hurt their business. Backers of the ban called it a safety measure, saying rooms full of second-hand smoke represent a health threat.