HARRISBURG - Gov. Rendell this morning said he would veto any legislation to ban smoking in public places statewide that would weaken Philadelphia's existing law.

"Philadelphia has taken a strong stand to support the public health of its residents, and I will not backtrack on that," Rendell said yesterday.

The governor said that if lawmakers propose a plan that would preempt Philadelphia's almost two-year-old ban, "then it won't go into law ... I will veto it."

Legislators on a joint House and Senate committee have been trying for months to strike a compromise on the smoking ban issue. This afternoon, the six-member committee yet again delayed a scheduled vote on a proposed ban because it couldn't even muster a quorum of its members.

Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R., Montgomery), who chairs the committee, said he was "disappointed we are not moving forward," and that it was "obvious there is no final agreement" on the issue.

He and others also said that the lawmakers who did not show were apparently trying to negotiate final details of the proposed ban.

But Sen. Charles McIlhinney (R. Bucks), one of the committee members, told The Associated Press that Rendell's threat of a veto brought on the delay. The plan committee members were considering would have preempted any local ordinances or laws on smoking, including Philadelphia's.

It also would also have provided some exemptions for private clubs, cigar bars and casinos.

Whatever final proposal the committee agrees on would be sent to the House and Senate. Those two chambers would not be able to change the legislation once it reaches them - senators and representatives would only be able to vote it up or down.