HARRISBURG -- Maybe the third try will be the charm for enacting a statewide ban on smoking in public places and workplaces, including restaurants, bars and casinos.

Even though two smoking ban bills have been introduced, and state legislators don't seem ready to ban smoking in all Pennsylvania workplaces, Rep. Michael Gerber won't be stopped from trying again.

The Montgomery County Democrat said yesterday he'll soon introduce a new measure "to provide a smoke-free environment in all public places across Pennsylvania," including bars, restaurants and casinos.

The harmful effects of smoking are personal with him, he said.

"I grew up with parents who smoked and I have seen the impact smoking likely had on their health," he said, "whether it's my dad's heart disease or my mom's battle with cancer. I hope this legislation not only protects victims of secondhand smoke but also reduces the number of smokers in Pennsylvania."

The push for a statewide smoking ban is spearheaded mainly by legislators from southeastern Pennsylvania. Philadelphia has had a ban on smoking in public places for four months.

Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, R-Montgomery, has been trying for 10 years to get such a ban enacted, without success. Three months ago his bill, Senate Bill 246, got out of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee -- a major step forward -- but it suffered a setback recently, as the full Senate bucked it back to the Appropriations Committee, which is usually a sign that there isn't enough support to get it through the full Senate.

Last year, then-Rep. Sue Cornell, R-Montgomery, introduced a smoking ban bill, but it wasn't approved. She lost her bid for re-election, but now another House member, Rep. George Kenney, R-Philadelphia, has taken up the cause.

He has sponsored basically the same bill, House Bill 720, which is awaiting action in the House Health and Human Services Committee. That's where Mr. Gerber's bill will go once he formally introduces it next week.

Anti-smoking advocates say a ban on smoking in workplaces and public places should be done on a statewide basis, not piecemeal from county to county, but many legislators, especially from socially conservative and rural areas of the state, remain unconvinced that the state should tell people where to smoke.

In the Bucks County borough of New Hope, a ban on smoking in restaurants and bars will take effect in 30 days, but officials still want the Legislature to make it statewide.

"It's past time," said Richard Hirschfield, borough council president and a former smoker.

The ban on smoking in bars that was enacted by Allegheny County has been put on hold by a judge. Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty are supporting the bill proposed by Mr. Gerber for a statewide smoking ban.

"It's important that all 67 counties are included [in the ban] so that businesses have a level playing field," said Mr. Onorato. "I support Rep. Gerber's efforts to bring this issue forward in the House."