Statewide Smoking Bans Now On The Increase

By ANNELIESE MOGHUL
Correspondent

According to “Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights”, more than half of the U.S. population lives in a city or state with anti-smoking laws, totaling 22 states and 577 municipalities , according to the group. Smokefree legislation is pending in at least seven more states.

But although flanked by states that have comprehensive smoking bans— New York, New Jersey and Delaware—a statewide anti-smoking bill so far has not reached the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Many bills have been introduced over a period of several years, but they have all died in committee.

Now again, an anti-smoking bill is expected to be introduced in the new legislative session, and legislators will once more attempt to tackle a bill that will prohibit smoking in all of the state’s public buildings, restaurants and bars.

Independent Bans

While anti-smoking legislation is still a patchwork of various degrees of legislation, more and more states are joining with statewide smoking bans.

Last summer’s report by the surgeon general confirmed that secondhand smoke is undeniably a health risk to non-smokers, and separate smoking sections don’t offer enough protection. The report is expected to diminish the ongoing debate about invasion of personal freedom for smokers.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi banned smoking in the speaker’s lobby next to the House floor.

Locally, Scranton has instituted a total smoking ban within its city boundaries as have Philadelphia and Allegheny and Erie Counties. A number of restaurants in Wilkes-Barre are also smokefree, as is the Geisinger Health Care System and the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance, the Good Samaritan, Pottsville and Lehigh Valley Hospitals.

In other parts of the country, cities and counties have also taken over where states so far have failed to pass comprehensive legislation. In those locations, smoking is prohibited in work places, hospitals, public buildings, train and bus stations.

No smoking is allowed on domestic and international flights, but many airports still have smoking sections. Hotels too are still uneven in their offers of “non-smoke” rooms.

In Bangor, Maine, it is now against the law to smoke in a closed car when a child is present. Similar legislation is being proposed in New Jersey.

Some businesses have targeted smokers, because it’s estimated that each smoker raises his boss’s health bills by more than $1,800 a year and costs $1,900 annually in lost productivity.

A number of fast food chains have also voluntarily banned smoking in their establishments, among them Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken Dunkin’ Donuts and Subway. And more eateries are being added all the time.

Restaurants and bars are discovering that their smokefree status saves them money by not having to empty dirty ashtrays, remove nicotine from stained counters and install air filtration systems.

Some employers are offering health-plan discounts for not smoking. Others have gone even farther—banning smoking not only on their properties, but also on their parking lots.

Contrary to many claims that a ban hurts bars and restaurants, there are now many reports that it boosts these businesses, because it brings back the non-smokers who now represent the majority of the customer base.

Legislators Weigh In

State Repr. Karen Boback said, she will study the issue thoroughly so as to find a fair and equitable solution. “The majority of my constituents are letting me know that they are for a statewide ban on smoking,” she said, “we must also consider the health issue, and I applaud the governor for his new health care proposals. Right now, I am deeply involved in doing research and my homework on this very important issue.”

State Rep. John Yudichak said, with the recent confirmation that secondhand smoke is a health risk to non-smokers, he is confident that another anti-smoking bill will be introduced in the new legislative session and will finally make it to the house floor.

“A small part of the governor’s bold health insurance plan ties in with the ban by raising the cigarette tax.” Gov. Rendell has said, he would endorse a statewide ban on smoking in bars, restaurants and other public places. In part, he wants to pay for his overhaul of the health care system by increasing cigarette taxes and imposing new levies on cigars and “smokeless” tobacco products.

Yudichak agreed that the present patchwork policies in Pennsylvania are not good. “We have to find a way to protect people’s health without adversely affecting business,” he said, “we do understand that smokers have a right to smoke, and we have to accommodate them, so we have to craft the correct legislation.” It might help that the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association now supports a smoking ban—apparently having read the public’s smoke signals correctly.

State Senator Lisa Baker also expressed regrets that so far there is no uniformity in regard to a statewide ban on smoking.

“I need to see all the components of the plan, I need to see the language. So far, there are 47 different proposals,” she said, “I am open, and I would welcome to hear from my constituents about this issue. I also need to hear from the business sector and health care advocates. The governor’s health care proposal incorporates the smoking ban issue.” Baker serves on the public health and welfare committee.

This is part of the January 31, 2007 online edition of The Mountaintop Eagle.

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