Maryland Ready To Become A Nearly Smoke-Free State

Maryland will ban smoking in virtually every indoor workplace, including restaurants, bars and airports, under regulations that Gov. Parris N. Glendening is prepared to approve today, according to legislators and health advocates.

The regulations, which tobacco groups denounced as anti-business, would yield the nation’s most comprehensive statewide smoking ban. Scheduled to take effect in four weeks, the rules would banish cigarettes, pipes and cigars from places where smokers usually have found havens, including hotel corridors, convention halls, dance floors and billiard parlors.

Glendening declined to discuss the smoking ban Wednesday, telling reporters, “We’ll have a nice announcement for you tomorrow.” Anti-smoking activists have been invited to Glendening’s news conference, and one was told to expect an announcement that would make his group “extremely happy.” The activists have urged Glendening to resist making exceptions in the smoking ban for small restaurants, bars and other businesses.

Paul G. Billing, director of state government relations for the American Lung Association, said Maryland’s anti-smoking regulations would be the strongest nationally. “Other states have restricted workplace smoking, but they all have exceptions of one sort or another,” Billing said.

Anti-smoking activists hailed the move, which is designed to protect employees’ health, and predicted other states will follow suit.

“We know that many states are waiting to see the outcome in Maryland and are waiting to try similar regulations,” said Eric Gally, of the American Cancer Society’s Maryland division. “We think if and when this officially takes place, Marylanders will have better protection from this dangerous poisoning than anybody in the world.”

Tobacco groups said the smoking ban will devastate Maryland businesses that cater to the public, especially those near state borders.

“It’s a catastrophic decision for Maryland businesses. For restaurants, bowling alleys, VFW posts, taverns, bars - any business serving the public is going to be affected immediately by the governor’s decision,” said Tom Lauria, of the Washington-based Tobacco Institute.