6/18/2007, 5:31 p.m. EDT
The Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The state Senate delayed consideration of a broad ban on smoking in public and nearly every workplace until next week after Republicans were unable to agree on a set of exemptions, a top GOP senator said Monday.
Republicans, who control the Senate 29-21, have worked behind closed doors to secure majority support for a single amendment that would create multiple exemptions in the smoking ban legislation.
As currently drafted, that legislation would ban smoking in just about every public space and workplace in Pennsylvania, including casinos, restaurants, bars, sports arenas and private clubs. Senators have been pressed by owners of casinos, clubs and bars for exemptions.
But Republicans have been unable to achieve broad support for any of the exemptions, said Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson, the chamber's president pro tempore.
The smoking-ban bill has advanced farther than any other legislation of its kind in Pennsylvania. Twenty-seven other states have approved a ban of some sort.
Any bill must also pass the House, where several similar bills have been introduced. Gov. Ed Rendell has said he supports the broadest ban.
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