Dec 22, 2007 5:07 pm US/Eastern
Md. Statewide Smoking Ban Soon Takes Effect
MARYLAND (WJZ) ―
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In just a month and a half, a state-wide smoking ban goes into effect, and Friday there are new rules businesses will have to follow.
In just a month and a half, a state-wide smoking ban goes into effect, and Friday there are new rules businesses will have to follow.
Suzanne Collins reports, the only place smoking won't be banned is in private cars and homes.
Of course you will still be able to smoke outside on the street once that statewide ban takes effect February 1, but many business people risk fines if they don't follow these new rules.
People lighting up inside bars like Timoth Copney at the Grand Central Bar on Charles Street in Mt. Washington won't be able to do so in just over a month from now.
If Copney wants a cigarette with his drink, he may have to go out to the newly constructed heated tent covered rooftop patio.
The Maryland smoking ban prohibits smoking in all indoor public spaces.
"Of course I find it a little intrusive, but I can certainly understand why people wouldn't want to be exposed to second hand smoke, and I try to be sensitive to people's feelings," said Copney.
But another smoker says she thinks people will stop going out to bars and clubs if they can't smoke, and those businesses will suffer.
"I think they're just going to be empty. People go to a bar to drink, shoot pool, have fun and smoking goes hand-in-hand with that," said Colleen Haynes.
Several Baltimore bars have outdoor smoking spaces in the works, but in Fell's Point, the manager of Max's Taphouse says they'll be at a disadvantage with a historic building.
"We can't put a rooftop deck on. We're going to have outside tables, but come February, that's going to be a tough sell," said Bob Simko.
It's not just bars that must comply with the ban, also private clubs, hotels and motels. Other work places have had smoking bans for 10 years.
The smoking ban will also apply to anyone in the business of transporting people to healthcare or doctor appointments, or anyone transporting children.
The health department says enforcement is based on complaints.
"If people are concerned the act is being violated, they contact the local health department, and somebody from the local health department will go out and do an inspection," said Dr. Clifford Mitchell.
The first offense is a warning, the second is a $100 fine that can be raised to $1,000.
Waivers can be granted, but a business must prove it has 15 percent less sales. Health officials will also hear but not necessarily grant waivers for hardship.
Any waivers to the smoking ban end in three years.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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