Look, we’ve all had this discussion before. For years, really. And I still say the same thing.

Smoking cigarettes is bad for you.

And the toxic second hand smoke which exits a smokers lips and fills the air of wherever he or she is smoking is nearly just as bad for the people whom are subjected to breathing in that toxic smoke.

Not only is it toxic smoke, but whatever germs and heebey geebies are inside that persons lungs and bloodstream are fogged out into the room for all to enjoy.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a smoke or two a day. The rest of them, however, are merely out of habit. And I just KNOW that I have to quit. (My Grandmother tells me all the time. Thank Jeebus she doesn’t know what the internet is otherwise, she’d absolutely FREAK after reading these past three paragrapsh.)

When the news of the Pennsylvania Smoking Ban first came about, I have to say that I was mighty optimistic. Having been in other states when the law went into effect, I knew that as soon as we caught on here in Pennsylvania, that it would certainly be a step in the right direction.

But we’re now three full weeks into the new smoking ban, and here in Harrisburg, not much at all has changed.

There are a handful of restaurants and bars who have been in compliance with the new law. (ABC being one of the few that have fully embraced the new smoking rules) But walking down Second Street, one would hardly know that there was a new law recently passed prohibiting smoking inside places of employment. (The majority of culprits being bars and restaraunts- where the majority of public indoor smoking takes place)

Don’t let the title of this post mislead you- I’m in full support of the smoking ban. But the way that the incarnation of this legislation reads is an absolute joke.

How many millions of tax dollars and hundreds of hours of labor were spent inside the Capitol drafting and tweaking this law?

Many, I’d guess. And the way that it reads right now is an absolute joke. Were they just trying to appease some people while keeping others happy at the same time?

Why, yes..yes they were.

And unfortunately in government and the passing of legislation, the old adage “you can please some people some of the time, but you can’t please all the people all the time” comes to mind.

If the lawmakers of this commonwealth had any balls at all, they would have made the smoking law crystal fucking clear by making it plain and simple- if you are in a place of public enjoyment- a place where anyone may enter and patronize, then there is simply no smoking allowed.

But by exempting places like private clubs, a percentage of the casino floors, businesses which only serve beer and liquor or a place whose annual gross reciepts contain less than twenty percent in food sales- it leaves FAR too many loopholes for FAR too many businesses to skirt the law.

New Jersey passed their smoking law about two or three years ago. Any business may not allow smoking.

Doesn’t matter if they sell strictly Budweiser beer and peanuts- it’s the law. No smoking allowed.

Meanwhile, back here in good ole Pennsylvania- we’ve drafted some amazingly bullshit legislation that has more holes in it than a State of The City speech by Mayor Reed.

Look, call me kooky- but there are a few businesses in Harrisburg that are embracing the new rules. But seriously, for the good of all of us- I really wish we’d see full compliance on this.