Philadelphia, Allegheny County, Erie County and Scranton have public smoking bans, and State College may be next.
State College Borough Council member Ron Filipelli urged the council last night to consider drafting an independent borough-wide smoking ban.
"If it's going to be six months or a year, we should look into a borough ordinance," he said, referring to the time it would take for state legislation to be approved.
Recently, the Clean Indoor Air Act, which would prohibit smoking in work places and public venues across the state, was approved by a senate subcommittee and is now awaiting a full senate vote.
Council President Cathy Dauler suggested that the council discuss drafting an ordinance at the next work session.
Dauler said she felt it was important for State College to take action, because the issue will not be resolved in Harrisburg quickly.
Last night the Borough Council unanimously approved a resolution to support the Clean Indoor Air Act.
"The resolution is stating that council is going on record, urging the state legislator to pass legislation that would control smoking in the workplace," Borough Health Officer Mark Henry said.
The Resolution will be sent to State Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre), State Rep. Scott Conklin (D-Centre) and State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, Henry said, adding, this will send a message to the community that State College supports the prohibition of second-hand smoke.
Resolutions allow the senate to see support for legislation, Henry said, adding that the community support will also urge the House to draft similar legislation.
Henry and Council member Don Hahn commended Corman for his work toward the anti-smoking bill.
Corman, a sponsor of the Clean Indoor Air Act, has said that the bill will most likely be amended before a possible approval.
If the bill is approved, Pennsylvania will join 17 other states and Washington, D.C., all of which require workplaces, including restaurants and bars, to be smoke-free, Amy Winterfeld Health Policy Analyst for the National Conference of State Legislatures said, in an e-mail.
