I don’t get it. The state Senate reversed course just a few moments ago and approved the same smoking ban bill they voted down last week. Today’s vote was 41-9 in favor. Last week’s vote was 31-19 against. The same exemptions (bars and taverns with 20 percent or less revenue from food; cigar bars; private clubs; nursing homes; parts of casinos), and it bars local municipalities from enacting their own more stringent smoking bans. Wait, there’s more. Philadelphia’s smoking ban, much stricter than the proposed one just approved by the Senate, is allowed. Sooooo … Philly can do what it wants but Lancaster, York, Harrisburg and every other crossroads in the Commonwealth, we’re out of luck. How does that make any sense?
Supporters vow to keep fighting for a tougher prohibition.
The bill goes now to Gov. Ed Rendell, who has indicated he will sign it if only because Philadelphia gets its way. What about the rest of us?
