Rep. Duane Milne (R-Chester) reports that Chester County is among the counties that have the lowest number of exemptions to the Clean Indoor Air Act in southeastern Pennsylvania.
“Among the counties in the southeastern part of the state, I am happy to let fellow Chester County residents know that they have the healthiest eating and drinking establishments, with only nine exemptions in our county,” said Milne. “The number of requests is low in both Type I and Type II applications which include bar only as well as bar and restaurant combined.”
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, by Dec. 24, 2008, 3,206 establishments applied for exemptions to the law throughout the commonwealth. Fewer than 1,000 were not approved. Bucks, Montgomery and Chester counties had a total of 239 approved exemption permits.
“I was never in favor of exemptions to the new law,” said Milne. “Bars where 20 percent of the revenues were from food sales are exempted which leaves many mom and pop type establishments off of the hook. Providing alternative venues does not help those who are trying to quit, not to mention the increase in second-hand smoke that is harmful to all, including wait staff who are now subject to even more tobacco smoke. My Wellness Tax Credit legislation provides a tax credit to every Pennsylvanian of $1,000 that can be used for programs like smoking cessation classes.”
Milne says the need for exemptions will lessen if the tax credit legislation is approved.
“Because my legislation is designed to help people kick the habit, I anticipate a lessening of the need for exemptions, “said Milne. “Throughout the county, the number of programs available to help smokers cut back and ultimately quit, has increased in many communities.”
Milne is a member of the Chester County Tobacco-Free Coalition which provides smoking cessation classes at Paoli Hospital, Chester County Hospital and Phoenixville Hospital.
Rep. Duane Milne
167th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(717) 787-8579
Contact: Raymond Smith
(717) 705-1834
Mary Lou Doyle
(610) 251-1070