PITTSBURGH -- There has been a dramatic twist in the push for non-smoking workplaces in Allegheny County.

On Tuesday night, the County Council passed a bill to ban smoking in all workplaces, including bars and restaurants.

But a few hours later, the state Senate voted to exempt Pennsylvania's new slot machine casinos from any such ban, catching local council members by surprise.

"I'm frustrated and outraged," said County Council President Rich Fitzgerald, who thinks such an exemption is unfair to other businesses in the county.

If the state law passes, Allegheny County will likely retract its smoking ban, Fitzgerald said.

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Related Links:

• Sept. 27, 2006: Pa. Regulators Approve First Slots Licenses
• More Allegheny County News

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