Law leaves some blowing fumes

Milford — With full support by all of Pike County’s state representatives, Pennsylvania’s Clean Indoor Air Act was signed last month, prohibiting smokers from lighting up in various locations, including enclosed public areas, restaurants, and workplaces. Contrary to what one might expect, many local business owners are breathing a sigh of relief that that law was finally passed. Apple Valley restaurant manager Joe Gattuso said that the restaurant was planning on going smoke-free next January, no matter the outcome of the lengthy debate in Harrisburg. He said he was glad the news would ultimately come in the form of a law and not a restaurant policy because many of the restaurant’s smoking patrons are bound to get upset by it. The same sentiment was echoed by Milford Diner owner Peter Rigas, whose restaurant limits smoking at various times but would not ban it altogether. Neither restaurant expects a substantial economic impact and hopes that “it will all balance out... It is good and bad, but mostly good,” Rigas said. Nancy Rumbauskas, a full-time waitress at the diner who is allergic to cigarette smoke, commented that she is looking forward to the day when she can go home without the leftover stench and without the worries of related health impacts. “I have never smoked, but I work enough here where I don’t think I had to,” she said in reference to experiencing some effects of smoke inhalation. But not everyone is looking forward. Andy Wierl of Greenville, N.Y. said he and his friends have been traveling into Matamoras and Milford to enjoy a smoke while they eat, something they cannot do in their home state. That will no longer be an option. Michael Gavoille, manager of the Cigarette Superstore in Matamoras, protested, “they’re taking away our rights…we pay enough taxes on our cigarettes, we should be able to enjoy them.” Though he said he understands the idea behind the law, he thinks it crosses the line. On the other hand, some feel it does not go far enough. Deborah Albrecht of the Pike County Tobacco Free Coalition says the law is “ imperfect, but a great place to start.” The Coalition is a seven year-old organization whose mission is to make smoking less prevalent and protect the public from second-hand smoke. Among exemptions the bill offers are to bars that bring in 20 percent or less of its revenue from food sales. Silver Lake Tavern in Dingmans Ferry is one of the few local establishments that will qualify for exemption. Owner Bruce Purcell said that although he supports the legislation, the absence of the exemption for his business could have been crippling. Albrecht said that by the time the law was passed, the coalition had worked with over three dozen Pike County businesses to become smoke-free on a purely voluntary basis. Now the Coalition said it is focused on continuing its free smoking cessation classes and pushing for clean outdoor air in certain public places. Most recently, the organization worked with Airport Park in Matamoras to adopt a no-smoking policy. The outdoor area surrounding the Pike County government buildings in Milford has not yet adopted the same policy, but it is a possibility for the future, she said. When the Clean Indoor Air Act goes into effect on September 11, carrying with it a $250 first-offense fine, remember to leave your cigarettes in the car - no if’s, and’s, or butts.