PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- With anti-smoking ordinances in place that ban cigarette use in public areas such as malls, shops and workplaces, there are only a select few places where a smoker can light up.
Now the City Council is considering a measure to further extinguish smoking in public places -- extending the ban to all city restaurants, restaurant-bars, hotel lobbies and office buildings."This is not a new issue," said Councilman Michael Nutter, the measure's chief sponsor. "We're about 80 cities behind the curve."
The smoking ban wouldn't be as all-encompassing as one in California, which also forbids smoking in saloons and private clubs. But Nutter's proposal does include language that would prohibit smoking at restaurants' outdoor seating areas. He said he would be willing to bend on that detail, which bans smoking within 20 feet of a restaurant.
The proposal had Nancy Robinson fuming as she sat at an outdoor cafe this week, reading a book, drinking a soda and smoking a cigarette.
"It's outrageous," said the 46-year-old, who has smoked since she was 16. "I think it's a violation of our rights."
Nutter said he proposed the bill because of personal experience and out of concern for the public's health. He said he believes people have a right to smoke but that others shouldn't have to suffer because of that right.
Restaurant owners formed a coalition and expressed their views before a recent City Council hearing on the proposal.
Laura Payne, a 23-year-old waitress at a TGI Friday's, was among those who defended smoking areas at restaurants.
"Our smoking stations are the most profitable stations in the restaurants," she said. "No one is forced to work in them."
One restaurant owner called the proposal "ridiculous."
"It doesn't make any sense!" said Georges Perrier, owner of Le Bec-Fin and Brasserie Perrier. "This is Philadelphia. This is not Chicago. This is not New York. It is tough enough to do business in the city!"
But Walter Tsou, commissioner of the city's Department of Health, cited a Journal of the American Medical Association study that examined the economic effect of smoke-free restaurant ordinances on tourism and hotel revenues. The survey found either no change or increased revenue in all areas.
The ordinance would allow the city Department of Licenses and Inspections to fine restaurants $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and $300 for the third.