Fresh from a victory in Baltimore City, supporters of a smoking ban in bars and restaurants tried to convince state lawmakers Wednesday of the need for a statewide ban.
“There are legitimate concerns among city business owners who fear their businesses will be lost if the ban goes into effect,” said Baltimore City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
The council passed a citywide smoking ban Feb. 26 by a 9-2 vote, with three members abstaining.
Rawlings-Blake argued the statewide ban was needed to protect city businesses from unfair competition from establishments in Baltimore, Carroll and Anne Arundel counties, where smoking is still allowed.
Prince George?s, Montgomery, Howard and Talbot counties have passed similar smoking bans, and Anne Arundel County and the city of Annapolis have promised to pass their own measures if the state does not resolve theissue.
“We require there to be no infestations of rats or insects in restaurants; we require all employees to wash their hands; we require meat products to be kept in refrigeration,” said Del. Barbara Frush, D-Prince George?s, the bill?s chief sponsor in the House. “For us to consider an issue of this importance as voluntary is to abdicate our responsibility to workers and patrons.”
Supporters packed the House Economic Matters Committee room Wednesday largely testifying on the harmful health effects of secondhand smoke.
Armed with surgeon general?s reports and medical experts, they urged lawmakers to ban smoking in restaurants and bars statewide instead of leaving the decision up to individual local jurisdictions.
The Senate Finance Committee was scheduled to hear the bill next week.
Opponents were scarce during the marathon hearing. Most of those opposed to the bill included cigar and tobacco shops worried about the bill?s vague language exempting them from the ban.
“We applaud those establishments that are able to prohibit smoking without losing business,” said Melvin Thompson, vice president for government relations for the Maryland Restaurant Association, in written testimony opposing the statewide ban.
“There are many smaller neighborhood restaurants and bars, however, that retain a significant base of smoking customers. … These customers contribute significantly to alcohol profits, which is crucial to a healthy bottom line.”
While Baltimore City lawmakers who sit on the committee said the city?s ban now made it easy for them to vote for a statewide measure for the sake of protecting their constituents? livelihoods, other committee members, including Chairman Derek Davis, D-Prince George?s, remain unconvinced that a statewide ban is better than individual local laws.
