Yesterday the Pennsylvania State Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill to ban smoking in almost all public places and most work site throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Governor Rendell is expected to soon sign the bill that will go into effect 90 days later.

I live not far from Pennsylvania and had the pleasure of visiting it not too long ago. Having lived in areas where smoking has been banned for quite a while I was shocked to go into a restaurant that allowed smoking. It was like a little bit of nostalgia from a time now past - remember the stench of old smoke, the smoke in your face while you’re trying to eat? It sounds terrible, and indeed it is terrible but having grown up in a smoking household I’m sure that second hand smoke still holds some charm for me.

Now many people believe that there will be negative effects on businesses once the ban goes into effect, and for a while there will be interviews with business owners complaining of decreases in revenue - but overwhelmingly other states have shown that people soon get used to the smoking ban and go on with life as usual.

It’s not all bad news, or good news depending on which side of the fence your on; there are exemptions for bars that derive less than 20% of annual revenue in food sales, private clubs and tobacco shops and cigar bars. Hotels would be permitted to allow smoking in up to 25% of their rooms and public sporting events will have designated areas at the venue. There will also be an exemption for casinos outside of Philadelphia.

Quite frankly this is all a big surprise to me - I had no idea that Pa was known as the cigar capitol of the United States or that it was such a big gaming state. When I thought of Pennsylvania I had images of the Amish, fresh produce, and sweet baked goods. The thought south Florida was better known for cigars and that people would gamble …..I don’t know, somewhere more exciting than Pennsylvania.

As far as the effect of banning smoking I can only speculate that it might drive some people to find a better place to party.