Issue date: 10/6/06 Section: News

Smokers will be forced to 'butt out' once the smoking ban takes full effect in Philadelphia.

On Sept.14, Mayor John Street signed a bill to eliminate smoking in public areas in Philadelphia. The bill is expected to take full effect in January of 2007, but Street said the law would start to be enforced as soon as possible.

The new law bans cigarette smoke in all restaurants and bars. Many sidewalk café's and private clubs are not liable. According to Mary Claire Dale of the Associated Press, "The Philadelphia law will exempt sidewalk cafes, tobacco stores, private clubs and so-called local taverns - places where drinks alone constitute at least 90 percent of gross sales."

If caught violating this law, a person could face fines ranging from $25 to $300. The first offense is a written warning. Every offense following starts at $25 and will continue to escalate to $300 per event.

From an economic standpoint, this law could affect many bars throughout the Philadelphia region, as people feel very comfortable smoking a cigarette while having a few drinks with their friends.

Matthew Burge, senior political science and philosophy major, works part time as a server for Maggiano's restaurant in King of Prussia. Burge said, "The problem is that this is a slippery slope argument. It isolates a group of people that pay a fair amount of taxes to do what they enjoy. Yet, it could be potentially harmful to a person's health. It is hard to draw the line on what people can and cannot do, however a line needs to be drawn somewhere."

This law, if brought into effect in Philadelphia suburbs, is viewed as an advantage to those without a nicotine addiction.

There is no doubt that some Cabrini students will be affected by this law, but most say it will be a good thing.

Nicole Corinchock, a senior marketing major, said, "I am in favor of it, because I think it will improve the general public health concerns. There is no reason for people to be irritated by that lingering second-hand smoke, and it will hopefully improve the atmosphere for many places."

Andrea Domacinovic, a senior marketing and political science major, said, "The real reason that people go out to restaurants is to eat and drink, not to smoke. The ban on smoking is a good thing, and it should not effect businesses."

Burge, who is a recovering smoker, feels that the ban is interfering into personal rights. He said, "It started with seatbelts and moved to smoking. If a line is not drawn, I fear prohibition is near."

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