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• Outdoor exemption to smoking ban sought for bars, restaurants - 

Del. Joseph J. "Sonny" Minnick co-owns a tavern in Dundalk, and he said he's lost business since the state banned smoking in bars and restaurants.

Now, at the request of fellow tavern owners, he is backing a bill that would create an "outdoor" exemption for Baltimore County bars and restaurants. This week, the proposal won the support of a state Senate committee, alarming health advocates.

The measure would allow smoking on enclosed decks, patios, in tents or other outdoor structures of bars and restaurants, and it would only apply to Baltimore County.

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