by KYW's vice president and general manager David Yadgaroff
   
It’s time for Harrisburg legislators to realize that sometimes half a loaf is better than none -- especially when you can nibble slices from the other half later.

In case you missed it, the Pennsylvania state senate missed a chance to enact a compromise smoking ban for all of Pennsylvania (see related news story).

No, it wasn’t quite what everyone wanted, but it would have protected most people on the job and in restaurants from the hazards of secondhand smoke. 

At the same time it would have allowed smoking in bars, private clubs, casinos, and "cigar bars." That’s what’s called a compromise. And it can always be amended later. Just look at New Jersey casinos.

The rub was, it allowed Philadelphia to retain its tougher smoking ban while not allowing Allegheny County and Scranton or any other town to write one. And so the senate scuttled the entire bill.

But cooler heads may yet prevail. The issue could soon come up for another vote. Dissenting senators would be well advised to take the bird in the hand and worry about the one in the bush somewhere down the line.

To submit a comment or reply to this editorial, send an e-mail to yadgaroff@KYW.com.