WILLIAMS ASKS FOR REAL SMOKING BAN IN VOTING AGAINST SENATE BILL

HARRISBURG, JUNE 28 – State Sen. Connie Williams voted against a Senate measure this week that would have provided a watered-down smoking ban in Pennsylvania.

"Pennsylvanians should be able to breath clean air, no matter where they go," Williams said. "The Senate version of the smoking ban that was passed this week catered to too many special interests at the expense of Pennsylvanians."

Williams was one of 17 Senators to oppose legislation (S.B. 246) that was amended to exempt cigar bars, bars and restaurants with liquor licenses that sell less than 20 percent of their total sales in food, private clubs and nursing homes and long term care facilities. The amended version also allows for up to 25 percent of the gaming floor in casinos to host smokers.

"I agree that some of these venues make sense – people who go to a cigar bar generally go there to smoke cigars and private clubs require dues to be paid. Generally, children do not frequent any of these locations and the adults that choose to understand that there will be smoking," Williams said. "I am concerned that we are opening the door to more bars selling less food, which could pose a new problem with drunken driving."

Williams said that she chose to vote against the bill because the exemptions were too broad and because the provision dealing with smoking in unregulated child-care facilities (private homes where three or fewer children are watched) was unclear.

"I've also heard from a large number of constituents who have told me that they enjoy going to the clubs in Philadelphia where they can enjoy a smoke free evening," Williams said. "They've told me that they'd like to see similar smoke-free venues in their own communities. Unfortunately, the current version of the bill would do-away with any local ordinances or bans that are stronger than the state's version."

The amended legislation now goes to the House for its consideration. House members are working on their own version of the smoking ban – H.B. 1541. The Governor has said that he would veto any version of the smoking ban bill that does not specifically exclude all child-care facilities.