Smoking Bans Suspended

Since we last mentioned it, the court ruling in Pennsylvania has caused one town to suspend its smoking ban:

Mayor Chris Doherty on Thursday suspended enforcement of the city’s smoking ban ordinance in response to a major legal setback this week.

Not only that, but citations which had been issued were thrown out:

On Thursday, Magisterial Judge Robert G. Russell threw out citations issued April 24 to Chick’s Diner’s owners for violating the city’s ban, citing the Commonwealth Court’s ruling as precedent.

And other citations have been withdrawn, but being the government douchebags that they are, they’re going to ignore the law and not inform businesses of the change:

While Mr. Doherty informed the media about his decision to suspend enforcement of the ordinance, Public Safety Director Ray Hayes said there are no plans to send notices alerting all affected businesses about the change.

Not much of a surprise, and of course, they have designs on rewriting the legislation to allow their ban to exist, if they cannot get a favorable ruling on appeal.

“We created an environment and a buzz which the state legislators have picked up, and they have now put a statewide ban on the fast track,” Councilwoman Sherry Nealon Fanucci said. “We’re on the right side of the issue and I have no regrets at all.”

No, you’re not on the right side of the issue, because you’re violating private property rights.