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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 1, 2020 10:19 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Daniel Laughlin |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Changes to the Clean Indoor Air Act |
In the near future, I plan to re-introduce Senate Bill 610 of last session. This legislation will strengthen the Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA) by eliminating exceptions to the statewide smoking ban, adding e-cigarettes to the law, tightening up and adding definitions. On September 11, 2008 Pennsylvania joined over 30 states that have some type of indoor smoking ban. Passage of Act 27 represented a major step forward in Pennsylvania by removing secondhand smoke in about 95% of workplaces and public areas in this Commonwealth. However, Pennsylvania’s CIAA contains many exceptions. These exceptions create confusion and make it harder to implement the law. They also leave some individuals unprotected from secondhand smoke. Furthermore, they provide for an unlevel playing field when some establishments must comply while others do not. This legislation will remove the following exceptions from the CIAA: (1) Drinking establishments, (3) Private clubs, (4) Residential facilities, (5) Fundraisers, (7) Full service truck stops and (8) Workplaces of manufacturer, importer or wholesaler of tobacco products. To ensure that smoking is prohibited in these places, they have been added to the definition of “Public place.” Language that prohibits smoking on a patio which is defined as any outdoor deck, patio, or similar outdoor service area which is part of a food or drinking establishment has also been added. This revision is similar to a ban contained in the Philadelphia Clean Indoor Air Worker Protection Law. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation. |