EDITORIAL: Too many exemptions in smoking ban

Publication Date: 2007-06-27

• Publication:Valley Independent

The Pennsylvania Senate has determined that smoking should be prohibited in public places because it presents a health hazard to all state residents.

Unless they're in a casino, that is. Or a private club. Or a bar. Or a cigar bar. Then it's OK.

Those were among the exemptions the Senate crammed into its version of a statewide smoking ban that passed Tuesday. While supporters said the exemptions were necessary for the bill's passage, their actions declawed the bill enough to make it laughable...

Passing no bill is preferable to approving a watered-down bill that says smoking is bad except in a few public places operated by wealthy and politically connected interests.