PHILADELPHIA—After
nearly five years of debate and inaction, Philadelphia City Council
passed a much-needed and highly supported public health policy in the
form of the Smoke-Free Workplace legislation by a vote of 9-6.
PennEnvironment applauds City Council for approving this important
legislation, which will not only help to protect the city’s residents,
but also workers in Philadelphia’s burgeoning hospitality industry.
Perhaps most importantly, this policy will help to protect the city’s
youth and elderly who are more vulnerable to air pollution, as well as
Philadelphians who suffer from asthma and other respiratory ailments.
“Philadelphians
can breathe a sigh of relief—the city has come out of the Dark Ages and
passed the smoke-free workplace proposal,” stated David Masur,
PennEnvironment Director. “This policy has had broad-based support from
Philadelphians since day one. It’s just unfortunate that it took City
Council this long to act. Philadelphia should be striving to be a
leader in promoting public health policies, not a straggler.”
“PennEnvironment
wants to thank Council members Darrell L. Clarke, Frank DiCicco, Wilson
Goode Jr., James Kenney, Donna Reed Miller, Michael Nutter, Juan Ramos,
Blondell Reynolds Brown and Marian Tasco for their support,” remarked
Masur.
More
than one dozen states and a variety of counties and municipalities
across the U.S. have already passed smoke-free workplace laws that
restrict smoking in restaurants and bars.
"Creating
smokefree environments is Public Health 101," said Dr. Walter Tsou,
former Health Commissioner of Philadelphia. "It was getting hard for me
to keep defending Philadelphia when everyone around us already got the
message."
While
the legislation banned smoking in most public places, including the
majority of bars and restaurants, PennEnvironment voiced concerns about
rumors of City Council revisiting the issue in the fall to consider
weakening amendments. This includes discussion of an amendment that
would create a permanent exemption for local taverns from having to
implement the smoke-free legislation, instead of sticking with the
temporary two-year extension that these locales are given under the
current legislation.
“PennEnvironment
hopes that City Council will not attempt to weaken this legislation in
the fall,” state Masur. “If anything, council members should be working
to take steps to reduce air pollution in the city, not allow further
air pollution in Philadelphia.”
While there is no word if Mayor Street will sign the legislation, PennEnvironment remains hopeful.
“Mayor
Street has stated again and again that he supports the smoke-free
workplace legislation. He has talked the talk, and now that the
legislation will get to his desk, it is time to walk the walk,”
remarked Masur.
