Governor Rendell Signs Bill Restricting Smoking in Most Public Places in Pe...(up for his weeklynewsletter visit his We...),Health

EDITOR'S NOTE: The text of Governor Rendell's signing letter is below.

To the Honorable General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

Today I signed Senate Bill 246, The Clean Indoor Air Act. This law is an important, long fought and necessary step toward protecting the health of millions of our citizens from the documented dangers of second hand smoke. Pennsylvania has waited too long to join the ranks of the other dozens of states that have enacted indoor smoking bans. The members of the conference committee are to be congratulated on a long sought compromise that is a quality product. Make no mistake, Senate Bill 246 will allow millions of Pennsylvanians the right to breathe easier.

Although I enthusiastically signed this bill, I do share the concerns of many of our citizens, and some legislators, who think we can and should do better. This law was many years in the making and the day will come when an even more comprehensive clean indoor air act will be the law of the land. I am particularly sympathetic to those citizens in Allegheny County, Scranton and other municipalities who led the way on this public health issue, only to have their forward thinking ordinances overturned. It would be right and fair for state law to allow for the preservation of these forward thinking local ordinances in addition to the ordinance adopted by the City of Philadelphia. This issue has not fallen on deaf ears and in signing this bill, I trust the General Assembly will work toward that end.

Edward G. Rendell, Governor

CONTACT:

Chuck Ardo

717-783-1116