HARRISBURG -- They were a little premature, but advocates of the state's new Clean Indoor Air Act held a news conference here today to praise the new law, just hours before it takes effect at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow.

"This act prohibits smoking in public places and work places, with a few exceptions,'' said state Health Secretary Calvin Johnson, who will soon depart for a new job in Philadelphia. "The majority of the state will be smoke-free now."

He said Pennsylvania will join 24 other states, plus the District of Columbia, in having a law to protect nonsmoking customers and people who work in restaurants, bowling alleys and other places where smoking previously had been allowed.

Garry Pincock, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society's Pennsylvania division, said the new law will ban smoking in about 95 percent of workplaces, offices and public areas in the state.

"Tomorrow, Pennsylvania will become a healthier place to live and work," he said. He also urged smokers to take advantage of programs that will help them stop smoking and become healthier. "Give it up," he said.

Officials from the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association, along with state Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, R-Montgomery, sponsor of the no-smoking legislation, also were present in the Capitol rotunda to praise the clean air law.

The places where smoking will still be allowed include smaller bars, taverns and eateries, where on-site food sales don't exceed 20 percent of total revenue; private clubs and fraternal and veterans associations where officers have voted to allow smoking; and up to 25 percent of a casino floor.

"This act prohibits smoking in public places and work places, with a few exceptions,'' said state Health Secretary Calvin Johnson, who will soon depart for a new job in Philadelphia. "The majority of the state will be smoke-free now."

He said Pennsylvania will join 24 other states, plus the District of Columbia, in having a law to protect nonsmoking customers and people who work in restaurants, bowling alleys and other places where smoking previously had been allowed.

Garry Pincock, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society's Pennsylvania division, said the new law will ban smoking in about 95 percent of workplaces, offices and public areas in the state.

"Tomorrow, Pennsylvania will become a healthier place to live and work," he said. He also urged smokers to take advantage of programs that will help them stop smoking and become healthier. "Give it up," he said.

Officials from the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association, along with state Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, R-Montgomery, sponsor of the no-smoking legislation, also were present in the Capitol rotunda to praise the clean air law.

The places where smoking will still be allowed include smaller bars, taverns and eateries, where on-site food sales don't exceed 20 percent of total revenue; private clubs and fraternal and veterans associations where officers have voted to allow smoking; and up to 25 percent of a casino floor.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.