What’s New

When the Pennsylvania legislature took its summer recess after a contentious budget battle in mid-July, they were unable to resolve differences in two proposals to pass the Clean Indoor Air Act and make the state go smoke-free.

The Pennsylvania state House passed a much stronger bill in HB 1541. While not perfect, this legislation closed many of the loopholes that would threaten public health and the health of the state's workers that were amended into the Senate version, SB246.  While SB246 started as a strong proposal, powerful interests were able to convince members of the senate to weaken this legislation.

How You Can Help

Email your state senator and ask them to support the strongest possible smoke-free workplaces legislation in order to protect the public's health and the health of the state's workers.

Background

With more and more states across the country implementing smoke-free workplaces legislation—and more and more cities in Pennsylvania like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton and Erie working to enact similar policies—statewide smoke-free legislation passed its first hurdle in the legislature.

Before the state legislature took its summer recess, both chambers passed versions of the Clean Indoor Air Act to make Pennsylvania's workplaces go smoke-free.  Unfortunately, the state senate dramatically weakened its version, SB246, before passing this proposal. The legislation was so weak that it could no longer be supported by public health organizations advocating on behalf of smoke-free workplaces. 

Luckily the House version, HB 1541, staved off attacks and amendments that would gut the legislation. While not a perfect bill it was much stronger than the senate's version. Still, the House and Senate were unable to reconcile their differences with the legislation, and the General Assembly went on its summer recess before getting a version of the Pennsylvania Indoor Air Act to Governor Rendell's desk for passage.

The negative health effects of secondhand smoke are well documented, and the case for smoke-free workplaces was made even clearer by a report released by U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona last summer. The Surgeon General’s report showed that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke and that nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25 to 30 percent and lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent.  To see the Surgeon General’s report, click here. 

More than one dozen states and a variety of counties and municipalities across the U.S. have already passed smoke-free workplace laws that restrict smoking in restaurants and bars.

"Creating smokefree environments is Public Health 101," said Dr. Walter Tsou, former Health Commissioner of Philadelphia and member of Physicians for Social Responsibility.

With Pennsylvania’s two largest cities taking steps to implement the touted Smoke-Free Workplaces legislation, it is up to our state legislators in Harrisburg to level the playing field and pass this proposal statewide.