Philadelphia approves smoking ban

The measure squeaked through City Council on Thursday, its last day before summer recess. It still needs approval from Mayor John Street, and also faces some amendments when the council reconvenes in the fall. Street said the bill was reasonable, but did not indicate if he would sign it.

Photo: Philadelphia approves smoking ban

The bill would exempt sidewalk cafes, specialty tobacco establishments, private clubs and so-called local taverns, places where drinks alone constitute at least 90 percent of gross sales.

Council members expect to pass some technical amendments to the bill in the fall, including one that would make the ban effective in January. The other would grant permanent exemptions to local taverns instead of the temporary, two-year reprieve in the bill's current language, the AP reports.

Fourteen U.S. states and at least seven countries have passed smoke-free workplace laws that include restaurants and bars, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The largest U.S. city, New York, also has a smoking ban.