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KYW Flashback: Smoking Eliminated Inside Most Public Pa. Spots

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It was just seven years ago that Governor Ed Rendell signed a tradition-changing bill that would impact nearly every man, woman and child across Pennsylvania.

It was a Clean Air Act that eliminated smoking in nearly all indoor public places including offices and restaurants. No longer would diners linger over coffee and a cigarette at the end of restaurant served dinner, much less a cigar and cognac.

Rendell's signature ended nightly disputes among restaurant-going Pennsylvanians over smoke, migrating between smoking and non-smoking sections.

But the legislature in its wisdom left some things untouched - like major portions of casino floors and those bars where neighbors drink, but limit their eating to chips and nuts.

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