By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – A new set of stringent restrictions on smoking in public places throughout New York was approved Wednesday by the state Legislature. The bill was immediately signed into law by Governor George Pataki.
The new legislation would end smoking in many places where it is now allowed -- bars, restaurants and bowling alleys.
Supporters said the health of tens of thousands of employees in those establishments will improve because they won't have to breathe the second-hand smoke of patrons.
Exemptions to the new ban include smoking in private homes, personal cars, hotel rooms and "cigar bars."
All local state Senators supported the smoking ban. But in the State Assembly, local Democrats Richard Smith and Robin Schimminger and Republicans Jim Hayes, Sandra Lee Wirth and Cathy Young voted against it.
The manager at Buffalo's famous Anchor Bar says the restaurant will lose business in its bar area, the only place where smoking is allowed. One patron enjoying a cigarette and a drink Wednesday claims she wouldn't have stopped by if the law was now in place.