FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Dan Frankel D-Allegheny www.pahouse.com/Frankel

Frankel has concerns on weaker smoking bill

HARRISBURG, June 3 – State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, chairman of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation in the House, issued the following statement on the smoking-ban legislation (S.B. 246) reported out of a House-Senate conference committee today:

"The conference committee's bill appears to be substantially weaker than the bill the House passed with more than a two-to-one margin. I am especially troubled by the fact that, under this bill, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and all local governments except Philadelphia would be barred from enacting strong legislation to protect their citizens' health in public places, even though the Commonwealth is apparently not yet prepared to do so.

"While this bill is disappointing, it may be better than nothing. I will review it carefully."

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