A poster in the state Capitol declares that six Pennsylvanians a day die from secondhand smoke. The sign, put up by the Breathe Free Coalition, greets lawmakers as they arrive for work and, if taken literally, would mean 438 nonsmokers felled so far this year.

Precise or not, the placard makes the important point that a statewide smoking law must include all workplaces if it is to protect nonsmokers. If Pennsylvanians choose to smoke in their homes or their cars, the impact of their choice is limited. But when they choose to smoke in public places -- restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, pool halls, casinos and more -- smokers afflict other patrons. While their fellow customers can take their business elsewhere if they wish, employees don't have that luxury. Should a waitress or bartender, for instance, have to change jobs just so he or she can breathe freely at work?

The answer must be no, and that's why Pennsylvania needs to enact an indoor smoking ban. (Private homes would be exempt.)

Unfortunately, it seems increasingly likely that a broad indoor ban won't win approval and that the version likely to come up for a vote in Harrisburg will include exemptions for businesses such as small bars and part of the gambling floor in casinos.

A six-member bipartisan conference committee is trying to reconcile different smoking bills that were adopted last summer -- one from the House that would cover most workplaces and one from the Senate that makes more exceptions.

The second half of a two-day hearing is set for today, and those testifying are expected to include opponents to a comprehensive ban. But a poll last year showed that's what the majority of Pennsylvanians want, and citizens should not let negative voices have the last word.

Speak up for healthy air with a phone call or e-mail to these committee members: Sens. Bob Mellow, 717-787-6481 or mellow@pasenate.com; Sen. Charles McIlhinney, 717-787-7305 or cmcilhinney@pasen.gov; Rep. Robert Belfanti, 717-787-5780 or rbelfanti@pahouse.net; and Rep. Ron Miller, 717-783-8389 or rmiller@pahousegop.com.

A call of encouragement to the other two members, who have been vocal advocates for a strong law, couldn't hurt either. They are Rep. Michael Gerber, 717-787-9475 or mgerber@pahouse.net, and Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, 717-787-6599 or sgreenleaf@pasen.gov.

It's time for voters to tell these legislators they want and expect an effective statewide smoking ban.