During the summer, PA legislators voted to ban smoking, and the bill was signed into law (PDF) by Gov. Ed Rendell on June 13, going into effect 90 days later, on September 11, 2008. The public had three months notice to know this was going to happen.
Senate Bill 246 forbids smoking in public places such as restaurants and businesses. Smoking is still going to be allowed at private functions and in private homes, as well as at tobacco shops. I think that this is great. Now when we go to dinner, we won't need to decide between smoking or non-smoking sections. Places that have patrons that hang out while they smoke might loose some business - diners, bowling alleys, and the like. On the flip side, maybe more people will come out to celebrate the new found clean air.
This law also prohibits smoking at government facilities. By extension, the ban effects campuses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). As a student at a state school (West Chester University), I got an e-mail on 9/11 which included this paragraph "Based upon the above, it is the position of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education that smoking, as defined by the statute, is now prohibited on the entire campus. “No Smoking” signs will be prominently posted at appropriate locations throughout the campus and maintained by the university. It is a violation of this law for employees and students to smoke on campus." (See the full e-mail at the bottom of this post)
The Clean Indoor Air Act is now controlling outdoor air quality as well. I submitted a Letter to the Editor of the WCU Quad (campus newspaper) after this e-mail was sent out. I will not be re-posting that Op-Ed, but will link it, and recall some key points.
-As of 9/16, the ashtrays are still all over campus. They are by some benches and near the doors of many buildings. If smoking is not allowed, they should have been removed prior to 9/11, as to send a clear signal.
-As of 9/16 there are no "no-smoking" signs on the north campus academic quad, and no increased presence of campus safety, public safety, or officials from the Department of Health to patrol for smokers.
-As of 9/16 there are no designated smoking areas that allow students to smoke in a safe environment. Students are still forced to smoke in the West Chester community.
-As of 9/16, there is no notice on the WCU website about this law, or on the main page of the PASSHE website. The homepage of the PASSHE site merely links to an Associated Press news story.
I maintain that this ban is a good idea that will help protect the health of non-smokers, but the three months of preparation should have been used to actually prepare. PASSHE should have notified students earlier than the day of action, and there should have been a more forum type approach for students, instead of just pawning inquires about the PASSHE policy to the Dept. of Health.
Check out news stories on this topic from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, NBC, and Fox.
Right now, the state is profiting, with one hand, off the sales of tobacco products, while profiting on the other side, by fining people for using their products.
What is the appropriate way to enforce a ban like this? Complete and total ban of all products, including sales, possession, and purchase? Or a free-for-all?
PA Department of Health
PASSHE
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