Smoke 'em if you got 'em, Maryland
Smoking Ban hits Baltimore
Nicola McQuiston
Issue date: 1/22/08 Section: News
"Hopefully it won't hurt us, but it's hard to say," said Eric Leatherman, manager of Mad River Bar and Grille in Federal Hill.
Health advocates are enthusiastic about the new law taking effect.
"I am just glad the state has chosen to take a healthier approach to living and is helping to decrease the chances of non-smokers developing lung problems, mostly due to second-hand smoking," Jessica Callahan said.
Callahan, a sophomore, is a member of the Loyola College Tobacco Intervention Club.
"I think they're making it impossible to smoke because they realize it's not healthy," Leatherman said.
"For me, health-wise, personally it's great," Sheridan said.
Mayor Dixon lauded City Council for their efforts to improve the health standards of Baltimore.
"Bar and restaurant employees have a right to a healthy and safe work environment, and restricting smoking will protect restaurant patrons as well. Smoking bans have taken effect in other jurisdictions and seem to have little or no effect on the restaurant and bar businesses."
One Loyola student, a smoker who wishes to remain anonymous, also admitted his approval of the ban.
"For people who don't smoke, this will be something they appreciate. It would be nice to come home and not have all your clothes reeking of smoke. I don't like that smell, even."
Legislation will be enforced by local health departments. Businesses caught violating the law will be charged $500; individuals, $250.
Howard, Prince George's, Montgomery, and Talbot Counties had each banned smoking prior to the passing of state legislation.
In 2003, 2004, and 2005, Maryland lawmakers killed bills to introduce state-wide smoking bans. O'Malley opted to pass the Clean Indoor Air Act in conjunction with the passage of the Clean Cars bill, Oyster Restoration bill, and the organization of Maryland's Green Building Council.
Health advocates are enthusiastic about the new law taking effect.
"I am just glad the state has chosen to take a healthier approach to living and is helping to decrease the chances of non-smokers developing lung problems, mostly due to second-hand smoking," Jessica Callahan said.
Callahan, a sophomore, is a member of the Loyola College Tobacco Intervention Club.
"I think they're making it impossible to smoke because they realize it's not healthy," Leatherman said.
"For me, health-wise, personally it's great," Sheridan said.
Mayor Dixon lauded City Council for their efforts to improve the health standards of Baltimore.
"Bar and restaurant employees have a right to a healthy and safe work environment, and restricting smoking will protect restaurant patrons as well. Smoking bans have taken effect in other jurisdictions and seem to have little or no effect on the restaurant and bar businesses."
One Loyola student, a smoker who wishes to remain anonymous, also admitted his approval of the ban.
"For people who don't smoke, this will be something they appreciate. It would be nice to come home and not have all your clothes reeking of smoke. I don't like that smell, even."
Legislation will be enforced by local health departments. Businesses caught violating the law will be charged $500; individuals, $250.
Howard, Prince George's, Montgomery, and Talbot Counties had each banned smoking prior to the passing of state legislation.
In 2003, 2004, and 2005, Maryland lawmakers killed bills to introduce state-wide smoking bans. O'Malley opted to pass the Clean Indoor Air Act in conjunction with the passage of the Clean Cars bill, Oyster Restoration bill, and the organization of Maryland's Green Building Council.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 13
Gil
posted 1/26/08 @ 4:51 PM EST
The downfall of the Private Bar Business is at stake,a 15% reduction in business will hit most all mom and pop bars,how many will receive 3 yr extensions? And will the first two months of the ban hurt them too much financially to even apply for an extension? Look for bankruptcy increases in bar businesses. (Continued…)
Gil
posted 1/26/08 @ 5:13 PM EST
A Post Script:
Smoking Bans HURT Business,and at a time when the economy is hurting.The Health of a State or Nation is more important than the squealling Health Nazis that want to control our lives with junk hogwash science!
Gil
posted 1/26/08 @ 5:22 PM EST
Nobody talks about all the smoking bar owners and smoking bartenders/barmaids that have lost their jobs in other states like Ohio and Arizona.It is always about clean air for non-smokers. (Continued…)
Gil
posted 1/26/08 @ 5:29 PM EST
Let's not stop with banning trans fats and smoking in public.
Tax on smokes is higher than the product cost.Does anything else match that?
Tax the following as high a percentage as smokes are taxed:
Fuel
Excessive Electricity use
Beer Liquor Liquer Wine
Candles
Fireplaces
Barbeques
Fatty Cuts of Meat
Overweight people (yearly weigh-in reqired)
leaf burning
candy
bread
businesses' with smoke stack emissions
polluting the oceans and fresh water lakes and streams
guns
pocket knives
milk,cheese,eggs
old cars
plane emmissions
bus emmissions
gas ovens,stoves
ice cream
burgers at any fast food joint
fried fish or fish sticks(the fast food kind,Crushed Alaskan Pollack)
French Fries
Fried Chicken
Chinese Food
Meat Tenderizer
Mexican food
Starches
Sugar
Salt
Sugar soft drinks
Artificial sweeteners
And on and on!
Gee whiz,how did the lawmakers forget about all the tax money and only concentrate on smoking tax. (Continued…)
bUdgeT VanlINes
posted 2/24/09 @ 4:08 PM EST
Health advocates are enthusiastic about the new law taking effect... i on the other hand.. am not
Maria Schellden
posted 3/17/09 @ 1:28 AM EST
I like articles like this. Great Article! Thanks!
Maria Schellden
posted 3/17/09 @ 3:53 AM EST
I like articles like this. Great Article! Thanks!
Maria Schellden
posted 3/17/09 @ 7:41 AM EST
I like articles like this. Great Article! Thanks!
Courtney Bailey
posted 3/17/09 @ 3:58 PM EST
Yes i agree with you , and nice news thanks. This realy nice news , i watch for them .
Dating christian
posted 3/20/09 @ 2:33 AM EST
Thank you for writing the article, I am very pleased with how it came out.
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