September 29, 2006

Workplace Smoking Ban Passes In Allegheny County

PITTSBURGH -- The Allegheny County Council voted to pass a smoking ban in public places, including bars and restaurants. The ban passed 14-1 on Tuesday night, but with significant amendments. Nonprofit organizations that wish to hold fundraisers can receive a waiver on the ban up to 12 times a year if they meet certain requirements.

the hospital. Exempt from the ban are free-standing city cigar bars. The ban will likely be challenged on constitutional grounds in the upcoming months. A similar smoking ban in Philadelphia went into effect on Monday, and Wheeling, W.Va., has had such a ban for more than a year. The ban only awaits the signature of County Chief Executive Dan Onorato to become law.

Source: thepittsburghchannel.com