Nov 8, 2007 4:47 pm US/Eastern
Group Says Indoor Smoking Ban Bad For Business
MARYLAND (WJZ) ―
In a few months, all Maryland bars and restaurants will be smoke-free.
But one group maintains this will send their establishment out of business.
Peggy Lee reports veterans are making their request known to state regulators.
At VFWs and American Legions across Maryland, veterans relax amongst themselves, enjoying a drink and possibly a smoke, but not for long.
Under the "Clean Indoor Air Act" all establishments must be smoke-free by February 2008.
"There's a major concern that this will put undoable hardship and stress local American Legion posts and VFW posts all over the state of Maryland," said veteran Paul Blitz.
At the third and final hearing to discuss ban regulations, Blitz, who is from VFW 2621, asked the state's health department for help.
"I am here today to ask for a waiver and an exemption for all American Legion posts and VFW posts across the state of Maryland," said Blitz.
Under regulations set by the Health Department, a business can apply for a waiver if it shows a 15 percent decrease in food and beverage sales in a consecutive two month period, and the decline must be related to the smoking ban.
"If a competitor moves nearby and all of the sudden you have a decrease in sales, that's not the fault of the Clean Indoor Act," said Dr. Clifford Mitchell from the Maryland Health Department.
"In most jurisdictions, as I said, businesses have done better. There are more non-smokers than there are smokers, and many people appreciate the opportunity to go out and enjoy themselves in a smoke-free environment," sad Md. Health Department Secretary John Colmers.
Thursday, veterans also continued their argument that they're exempt from the ban since VFWs and American Legions are private clubs.
"It says 'where smoking is prohibited', and in the first one it says 'indoor areas open to the public.' The VFW and the American Legion are not open to the public. You have to be a member. You have to have a key card to get in."
All waivers will expire in 2011. All businesses must be smoke-free.
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