As I'm sure most of you know, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania banned smoking in most indoor areas effective September 11, 2008.  It's interesting that it became effective on that particular month and day, as it was the same date in 2001 that the twin towers in New York City were destroyed by terrorists who took over two commercial airliners.  Or maybe it's appropriate that the terrorists in Harrisburg (Governor, most Representatives and most Senators) would use that date to destroy some of the rights of most business owners in Pennsylvania.

You can see how our State Senators voted here; and our State Representatives here.  Please take the opportunity to vote for their opponent whenever they decide to run for re-election or any other office.

In the meantime, the bill as passed does have some exemptions.  For one, any tavern which derives less than 20% of its revenue from food service can apply for an exemption.  Those who did so by July 31, 2008 can continue to permit smoking while their application is being processed.  Also, Private Clubs are exempted (I have to check on the legal definition of the requirements).  You can read a copy of the bill here.

The following establishments in Chester County were exempt from the smoking ban as of February 22, 2009 according to the PA Department of Health's web site:

If you know of any other establishment that is continuing to permit smoking based on any exemption from the bill, please send me information about it so I can add it to this list.

You can look at the PA State Health Clean Indoor Air Act Exception Approvals web page to find the current list for any PA county.

This legislation increased the exise tax on cigars, cigarettes (61¢/pack), cigarette papers, cigarette tubes, smokeless tobacco, pipe tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco as of April 1, 2009 (full details here - click on TITLE VII--REVENUE PROVISIONS near the bottom of the page)

You can thank the following Philadelphia-area Congresspersons for voting that only tobacco users should pay for this increased entitlement: John Adler (D-NJ), Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ), Robert A. Brady (D-PA), Michael N. Castle (R-DE), Charles W. Dent (R-PA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Jim Gerlach (R-PA), Tim Holden (D-PA), Frank A LoBiondo (R-NJ), Patrick Murphy (D-PA), Allyson Y.Schwartz (D-PA), Joe Sestak (D-PA) and Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ).  Joseph R. Pitts (R-PA) was the only area representative to vote against it.

In addition, all Philadelphia area Senators, Casey (D-PA), Spector (R-PA), Carper (D-DE), Kaufman (D-DE), Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Menendez (D-NJ) voted for this bill.

The overall vote in the House was 290 for and 135 against (68% for and 32% against), while in the Philadelphia area it was 13 for and 1 against (93% for and 7% against).  The overall vote in the Senate was 66 for and 32 against (67% for and 33% against), while in the Philadelphia area it was 6 for and 0 against (100% for and 0% against).  Are you getting the picture?  Philadelphia area Representatives and Senators are overwhelmingly against tobacco users.   You can express your displeasure with those Representatives and Senators who voted for this measure by letting them know how you feel about being singled-out, but especially by voting for ANYONE running against them if they decide to run for re-election or any other office.

In addition, since President Obama signed this measure into law, make sure you vote for ANYONE running against him if he decides to run for re-election or any other office.

Last revised: February 22, 2009