Today’s the last chance to combine your vices in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as tomorrow the state-wide smoking ban takes effect.

There are enough exemptions that the American Lung Association isn’t endorsing the law but for any bar or restaurant where food accounts for more than 20% of annual sales, it’s no smoking for you starting tomorrow.

Pa. Smoking Ban Takes Effect Thursday [NBC 10]

The Pennsylvania State Senate has approved a bill to ban smoking in public spaces across Pennsylvania. The bill will not weaken Philadelphia’s ban and it is expected that Governor Rendell will sign the bill into law.

There are also exceptions for “bars that have 20 percent or less in annual sales of food, as well as cigar bars, tobacco shops and private clubs whose officers agree to it.”

Pa. smoking ban clears last hurdle to becoming law [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Over at Philly Mag they’ve created a map of Philadelphia’s smoking friendly bars.

So now you know where to go, or where not as the case may be.

Smoking Bars in Philadelphia [Philadelphia Magazine]

Yesterday’s City Paper provides a list of bars in Philadelphia that have received smoking ban waivers.

Check out the whole list here.

Smoking Bars [City Paper]

With the smoking ban in full effect more children are hanging in the pub.

“The number of children we see here has quadrupled,” says Tom Peters, co-owner of Monk’s Cafe in Center City “I’m getting more baby seats. And it’s all attributable to the smoking ban.”

No longer does a favorite hangout seem forbidding or unwelcoming to parents. Rather than leave junior with a sitter, mom and dad are able to include the child in an evening interlude.

Smoking ban brings more kids to dinner [Philadelphia Inquirer]

All those city smokers who have been heading to Croydon, Upper Darby and Ridley Park to light up while they drink might be in trouble as a Montgomery County representative is looking to ban smoking in all public spaces in Pennsylvania.

Montco Rep. Leads New Push To Ban Smoking Statewide [KYW Newsradio 1060]

As some Philadelphians look for places to smoke, some suburbanites are looking for places where they can enjoy a meal and a drink without smoking.

Just last week all of the Iron Hill Brewery locations went smoke free. And this week they are joined by West Conshohocken’s Gypsy Saloon and Stella Blue.

Gypsy Saloon first Non-Smoking Bar in Conshohocken [The Latest Dish]

All six area Iron Hill Brewery Restaurant and Bar locations will be going smoke-free as of 2 PM today.

In conjunction with announcing its company-wide smoke-free policy, Iron Hill will host the Clean Air Council and join it in supporting comprehensive, state-wide legislation that will require all bars, restaurants and other workplaces to be completely smoke-free.

Complete release after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday the Mayor signed into legislation the tweaks to the smoking ban, starting January 8th smoking at outdoor cafes will now be banned but bars that make less than 20% of their profits from food sales will be able to apply for an exemption. This also means than until January 8th the smoking ban is off the books, it’ll be interesting to see how bars and patrons react to this reprieve.

Legislation was also introduced to City Council that would have Philadelphia following in New York’s footsteps again by banning trans fats in Philadelphia food service establishments by September 2008. Krimpets, and other food served in sealed packages would be exempted. Wait, krimpets aren’t good for you?

Phila. council ends year on note of health [Philadelphia Inquirer]

If Mayor Street signs the amendments to the smoking ban as expected it may mean a temporary reprieve to city smokers, as it could be legal to smoke again until January 8th. But not everyone is expected to repeal the ban.

Health Commissioner spokesman Jeff Moran confirmed that the ban wouldn’t “be enforced during the gap period,” though the city Health Commission has said they want bars to voluntarily enforce the ban in the interim.

“We’ll still enforce it,” Smokey Joe’s owner Paul Ryan said. “Everyone’s used to it by now. We’ll continue to have the ashtrays at the door, and people will smoke outside.”

For three weeks, smoking ban may evaporate [Daily Pennsylvanian]