Smoke-Free in Keystone State

Thanks to a new statewide smoking ban, Pennsylvania smokers will dish out big bucks if their butts are found in public places such as schools, restaurants, offices and stores.

As of yesterday, smokers who are caught puffing in a restricted public place will be fined $250 for a first offense, $500 for second offense and a whopping $1,000 for the third offense. Holy sticker shock!

While the smoking ban is certainly a step in the right direction, critics say it’s not enough. Small restaurants and bars, nursing homes, fire halls, private clubs, smoke shops and 25% of casinos are exempt from the ban. Yet those who are in support of the ban are working on new legislation that would drop some of the exemptions.

Is this tough love quitters need, and do you think smoking bans work? [ThePittsburghChannel.com]