Allegheny County Council yesterday unanimously approved a resolution urging the state Legislature to enact an indoor workplace smoking ban for all of Pennsylvania.

The resolution has no legal force. But it demonstrates the strength of support among council members for significant restrictions on smoking. Council could vote on an Allegheny County workplace ban as soon as Aug. 22.

Council President Rich Fitzgerald, D-Squirrel Hill, introduced a bill that would ban smoking in almost all indoor public spaces, including restaurants and most bars. The ban would also cover any casinos in the county.

"It's no longer a question that secondhand smoke is dangerous," Mr. Fitzgerald said, referring to a report released last month by the U.S. surgeon general. "We put people at risk."

A majority of council's 15 members has co-sponsored the bill. None, Democrat or Republican, voiced any opposition last night. Two Democrats, John DeFazio of Shaler and Rich Nerone of Brookline, did not attend the meeting.

"The only way to protect non-smokers from the dangerous chemicals that are in secondhand smoke is to eliminate it completely," Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, told council members.

A statewide ban appears unlikely in the near future. Legislators haven't moved on bills in either the Senate or House of Representatives.

But County Council seems ready to move rapidly on local restrictions. Councilman Michael Finnerty, chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, said he wants to be able to send Mr. Fitzgerald's bill back to the full council when it returns from its summer recess next month.

The bill would allow exemptions for some private clubs and bars that earn less than 10 percent of their revenues from food sales.

All other public spaces would prohibit smoking indoors and within 15 feet of any entrance. Anyone who violates the ban would face a fine of up to $25.

If council approves the bill, it would go to Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato for signature or veto. He has said he prefers a statewide approach.

Also, the bill may face legal scrutiny under the state's Clean Indoor Air Act. The county law department has said the act prevents most local governments from enacting their own smoking bans.