Councilman Nutter, Smokin' (actually, not smokin')

By a 10 to 7 vote margin, Philadelphia's City Council approved amendments that clear the way for a citywide smoking ban in bars and restaurants. Councilman Nutter shepherded the bill through after working on compromise amendments that exempts sidewalk cafes, offers a wavier process to private clubs, and gives bars an extra two years to comply with the law. For others, the smoking ban begins next January (see story).