Pa. Senate Votes For Smoking Ban Without Health Groups’ Support

(AP) — The state Senate voted Tuesday to ban smoking in most of Pennsylvania's buildings, defying a coalition of health associations that pulled its support because the bill would extend partial or full exemptions to private clubs, bars and casinos. Smoking would be banned in most public places and work places, including arenas, stores, restaurants, convention halls and shopping malls. Read more...

Call me cynical, but what would the reaction of these senators who support the smoking ban be if Philip Morris decided to stop selling its tobacco products in PA? In theory, they should be relieved, as there would be one less "health risk".

But most likey, the tax revenue drop off would send these same senators into panic mode. Not understanding the free market and the fact that it is the seller’s prerogative to sell or not to sell its product in certain markets, odds are that these same senators would draft legislation to “force” Philip Morris to sell its products in PA.