PRINTER'S NO. 647
No. 585 Session of 1989
INTRODUCED BY SAURMAN, ROBINSON, MARKOSEK, DISTLER, MELIO,
CHADWICK, DEMPSEY, FOX, REBER, DeLUCA, KUKOVICH, PHILLIPS,
GEIST, HERSHEY, JOSEPHS, CIVERA, TRELLO, COHEN, LAUGHLIN,
CORNELL, MICHLOVIC, RYBAK, GLADECK AND E. Z. TAYLOR,
FEBRUARY 15, 1989
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 15, 1989
AN ACT
1 Prohibiting smoking in Commonwealth buildings.
2 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
3 hereby enacts as follows:
4 Section 1. Short title.
5 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Pennsylvania
6 Health Promotion Act.
7 Section 2. Legislative findings and purpose.
8 (a) Findings.--National studies indicate that smokers have a
9 33% greater absentee rate than nonsmokers, amounting to an
10 estimated 81,000,000 lost work days annually, and that smoking
11 is a contributing factor in 25% of deaths nationally. The United
12 States Surgeon General reports that passive smoke can cause
13 health problems in nonsmokers who are exposed to smoke. In the
14 workplace, the nonsmoker is not as free to move away from smoke
15 as would be the case in a nonworking environment.
16 (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this act to establish a
1 smoke-free environment in all Commonwealth buildings.
2 Section 3. Definitions.
3 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
4 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
5 context clearly indicates otherwise:
6 "Department." The Department of General Services of the
7 Commonwealth.
8 "Government buildings." Any building or portion of any
9 building owned by, leased or rented to, or under the direct
10 control of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any political
11 subdivision thereof and used for Commonwealth purposes.
12 "Smoking." The possession of lighted cigarette, cigar or
13 pipe.
14 Section 4. Prohibition.
15 Smoking in government buildings by employees or members of
16 the public is prohibited. Smoking areas may not be designated.
17 Section 5. Duties of the department.
18 The department shall:
19 (1) Establish procedures for enforcing this act in
20 government buildings.
21 (2) Post signs in prominent locations in all government
22 buildings.
23 (3) Develop literature, in cooperation with the
24 Department of Health, which will serve to notify employees of
25 the smoking prohibition and explain the health-related
26 rationale for the prohibition.
27 Section 6. Penalty.
28 A person who smokes in a government building in violation of
29 this act commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction,
30 be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $100.
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1 Section 7. Effective date.
2 This act shall take effect in 180 days.
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