State failed to communicate smoking rules
If an indoor smoking ban set to go into effect this Thursday is to clear the air, smokers and the establishments that welcome them should know about it.
Apparently, they don’t.
“The state is very, very poor — communication-wise,” said Mike McCloskey, who owns Railroad Street Bar & Grill in Linfield.
The statewide smoking ban has been touted as landmark legislation for Pennsylvania’s public health. The law would ban smoking in most public places, but among exceptions are bars and taverns that generate less than 20 percent of total sales from food.
The problem this week, according to area bar and restaurant owners, is that no guidelines or communication has been forthcoming from the state health department.
McCloskey said that as of now his customers can still smoke, but he might have to go tobacco-free someday, if food sales continue to rise.
At The Brick House in Pottstown, owner Dave Walsh said smoking will be prohibited in his establishment under the state law, but he too is disappointed with Pennsylvania’s outreach.
“I haven’t heard anything. I found out through an e-mail (from a friend),” Walsh said. “We’re getting nothing, literally nothing.”
State officials had 90 days to spread the word, ever since Gov. Ed Rendell signed the Clean Indoor Air Act into law June 12.
Holli Senior, a spokeswoman with the Department of Health, said the agency has worked with the Pennsylvania Restaurants Association, Tavern Association, and Pennsylvania Alliance to Control Tobacco.
But bars and restaurants who are not members of those groups have had to seek out information on their own.
Senior said the health department’s Web site contains downloadable signs and links for toolkits to help people comply with the law. But the health department has not gone out of its way to inform either the public or restaurant owners that the information exists.
As the state prepares for the first day of enforcement — Sept. 11 — Pennsylvanians need some perspective, says McCloskey.
“You don’t need to smoke,” he said, pointing out the added benefit of bar goers smelling less like smoke.
While some smokers say they may switch bars to those where it remains legal, others say they will dine out more because of the absence of smoke. The effect on business is not expected to be detrimental in either case.
But whether changing habits or defying the ban, many are still in the dark about what the ban involves.
According to the law, a $250 fine will be levied to businesses for failing to post a sign, allowing smoking in a nonsmoking area, or smoking in a nonsmoking area. Repeat offenses within one year range up to $1,000.
Those are serious penalties. It would be a good idea to let businesses and smokers know what’s in store.
Clean air demands some clear communication.
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