Enforcement of smoking ban in hands of public

September 8th, 2008, posted by RobHop

Sniffing out violators of Pennsylvania’s smoking ban will fall on the shoulders of people bothered by the smoke.

“It’s not going to be a ‘gotcha’ — it’s not a plan of the (state) Department of Health to have teams of people that go into places” looking for violations, said Cindy Thomas, director of Tobacco Free Allegheny, which administers and manages localtobacco prevention and cessation programs. “Enforcement is going to be reactive, not proactive.”

The state is encouraging people who see smoking ban violations to call an automated help line, 877-835-9535, and leave a message describing the violation and where and when it occurred.

A warning letter and educational materials will be sent to the violator. If complaints continue, the state could issue a $250 fine, which increases to $1,000 for repeated violations.

Although the state allows local health departments, such as the Allegheny County Health Department, to do local enforcement if they choose, it does not provide any money.
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Smoking ban

On September 8th, 2008 Anonymous said:

Here in Chicago, after nine months, most of the bars that ignore the ban have had no customer complaints.

Your comment shows this is

On September 8th, 2008 Anonymous said:

Your comment shows this is not as big a deal as some people would like it to be.

Smoking ban

On September 8th, 2008 Anonymous said:

The big places with a high transient crowd comply, but many of the small neighborhood “mom and pop” places where people all know each other don’t really pay attention to it.

you need to send notice to the livestock auchions at carlisle an greencastle of the ban.they seam to think it`s ok untill you tell them it`s no ok.most of the time the sales are over crouded and standing room only.the smoke is so thick it makes you sick an you smell like a garbage dump when you go home. and most of the time i get a headake.i am a farmer and thats the only reason i go there to buy and sell animals.or i woulden`t attend…..