Air is already clear in Delaware -- and soon a smoking ban in Maryland bars, restaurants will go into effect
Jump to full article: DelmarvaNow.com, 2008-01-24
Author: Brian Shane Staff Writer
Intro: Effective Friday, Feb. 1, smoking indoors is prohibited by law in the state of Maryland. That means bars, restaurants, clubs and hotels, as well as government-operated public transportation, are smoke-free areas where repeat offenders get stuck with hefty fines.
"Secondhand smoke is a true health hazard," said Claire Mullins, spokesperson for the American Lung Association of Maryland. "Limiting it in public places like bars and restaurants is just another step to improve public health.
"This is a public health issue, it's not a civil liberties issue," she added.
The smoking ban also falls roughly at the same time as an increased cigarette tax, going from $1 to $2 per pack, which took effect Jan. 1. . . .
However, Maryland also earned a "D" for tobacco prevention spending and an "F" for youth access. . . .
Smoking bans are nothing new to the area, particularly in Delaware.
In 2002, the state enacted the Clean Indoor Air Act . . .
Restaurateurs now say that several years into the ban, indoor smoking is practically a non-issue. But, that's not to say there wasn't an initial impact.
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