An ordinance for a smoke-free State College has been drafted -- now Borough Council must decide if they want to move the ordinance forward to an enactment vote.

If passed, the ordinance -- drafted by Borough Health Officer Mark Henry -- would prohibit smoking in public places, such as bars and restaurants.

At last night's borough council work session, students spoke out in support for the enactment of the ordinance.

Andy Barbaccia (senior-computer engineering) said he has collected more than 150 letters from students in support of the ordinance, adding that he plans on mailing the letters to the borough.

Barbaccia created a group on facebook.com, called "State College Smoke Free Bars," to show support for a smoke-free environment. The group was created two to three weeks ago, he said, adding that there are already almost 1,300 members.

Barbaccia said the student forum does not think State College should wait around for statewide legislation to be approved.

"We shouldn't be waiting -- we should be proactive," he said.

Brandon Tarbert (senior-public relations) spoke to the council on behalf of the Penn State Students for Tobacco Awareness.

Tarbert said many students need to make the most amount of money in the least amount of time, and therefore their only option is to work in a restaurant or bar.

Council member Ron Filippelli expressed his concern for employees of local establishments.

"Employees are the main victims of this kind of environment," he said.

No residents vocalized opposition last night to the ordinance.

Filippelli said he would like to see action taken, because he does not believe that a statewide ordinance will be enacted in the near future.

"We might not get action out of Harrisburg," he said. "They are barely moving on anything in Harrisburg."

Council President Cathy Dauler said she is in favor of protecting people in their work place. The council should go ahead with the ordinance in spite of any legal issues, she said.

Last month, the council unanimously voted to support the Clean Indoor Air Act, which would prohibit smoking in work places and public venues across the state. The act was approved by a senate subcommittee and is now awaiting a full senate vote.

Council member Jeff Kern said he is in support of a smoking ban; however, he is not sure if now is the time for State College to act.

Currently there are smoking bans in Philadelphia, Scranton, Eerie and Allegheny County, Kern said, adding that he would like to see how the ordinances work out in those areas before State College moves ahead.

Tarbert said the areas with the bans are some of the most populous in Pennsylvania, and State College should join them to lobby the legislator for a statewide smoking policy.

Council member Elizabeth Goreham said she would like to talk to the surrounding townships and municipalities to see if they would be interested in joining the borough in a smoking ban.