Montco Rep. Leads New Push To Ban Smoking Statewide

by KYW's Brad Segall

Pennsylvania lawmakers are once again going to try to enact a statewide smoking ban and it’s a Montgomery County State Representative who’s leading the charge in the House.

Efforts to ban smoking in all public places in Pennsylvania in the past have gone up in smoke, but Democrat Mike Gerber believes the climate in Harrisburg is right to pass the measure.

He plans to introduce a bill next week that will provide a smoke-free environment in all public areas. He expects some “push back” from special interest groups, but he doesn’t believe Pennsylvania businesses will be hurt:

“Many of our surrounding states have already enacted some sort of smoking ban. Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Ohio, and I think there are 16 states across the country that have done it.”

Gerber says two recent studies from the American Lung Association and the US Surgeon General highlight the negative effects of second-hand smoke. He says he has bipartisan support for the bill and the backing of Governor Rendell.