Greenleaf hopes 6th time is the charm for smoking ban

State Sen. Stewart Greenleaf is optimistic that a compromise on a statewide smoking ban can be reached: Getty Images PhotoOne of the General Assembly's biggest smoke-free advocates is cautiously optimistic Tuesday's conference committee meeting will finally resolve the state's frequently stalled smoking ban.

"But we'll see," said state Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery County). "I'm zero for my last five."

Greenleaf was referring to previous attempts at compromise that sputtered. The last one, in May, ended before it began when members of the six-person committee did not even show for the scheduled meeting.

The bill went to conference committee after the state House and Senate approved significantly different versions last year. The House's ban had far fewer exemptions than the Senate's.

Senate Minority Leader Bob Mellow (D-Lackawanna County), Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks County) and Greenleaf join House members Mike Gerber (D-Montgomery County), Bob Belfanti (D-Northumberland County) and Ron Miller (R-York County) on the committee.

Greenleaf wouldn't say which compromises he would accept, only that he he'll review the proposal when it's presented and make his decision then.

The inability of the General Assembly to arrive at a compromise the past year has not frustrated the Senator, who has pushed a smoking ban since 1993. He's closer now more than ever, he said, because public support for the ban is "overwhelming."

"This is democracy," Greenleaf said. "We give and take and discuss."