Sunday, February 24 2008
By Amy Worden
Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau
HARRISBURG - One is a Vietnam veteran from north-central Pennsylvania, a lifelong smoker fighting for the rights of fellow vets to light up in VFW halls.
The other is a young Philadelphia-area lawyer, who has seen close-up the health risks that can come with decades of smoking.
In a nutshell, those two stories are why there is still no state smoking ban.
The differences between the two Democratic lawmakers, Rep. Bob Belfanti of Columbia County and Rep. Mike Gerber of Montgomery County, highlight the tobacco divide that runs along generational and often geographical lines in Pennsylvania. It separates those seeking a complete ban on smoking in public places and those who would like to see exceptions for private clubs, taverns and casinos.
And now those two legislators are key members of a committee trying to forge a compromise.
Story continues at philly.com...
