Allegheny County Council's health and human services committee last night revised several amendments proposed by the county chief executive to the public smoking ban that goes into effect in early January.

The new law prohibits smoking in all restaurants and bars, on any property adjacent to and owned by a health care facility, and within 15 feet of entrances to smoke-free buildings. Nonprofit organizations could apply for up to 12 waivers annually to allow smoking at fund-raisers.

County Chief Executive Dan Onorato proposed exempting taverns that make less than 30 percent of revenue from food sales, dropping the health-care facility restriction and requiring an economic impact study one year after the ban begins.

Instead, the committee recommended that taverns with food revenues under 10 percent and fewer than 10 employees be exempted from the smoking ban. But the exemption would only be temporary. It would also go into effect for those establishments after Jan. 1, 2009.

After some negotiation, committee members changed the health care facility amendment from a campus-wide prohibition to a ban within 50 feet of entrances. Also, they proposed conducting both health and economic studies, but 18 to 24 months after the ban goes into effect.

Mr. Onorato suggested removing the 15-foot rule and allowing smoking at fund-raisers run by volunteer groups. Those proposals were forwarded without major changes.

Each amendment could be altered again, rejected or accepted when the full council meets on Tuesday.