 "Photo: Jesse DiFlorio")
Baltimore smokers are enjoying an extra month of lighting up before legislation to implement a city-wide smoking ban, signed by Mayor Sheila Dixon on Aug. 14, takes effect in all public indoor areas on Feb. 1.
The effective date, originally slated for Jan. 1, was postponed in order to coincide with the effective date of the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 signed by Governor Martin O'Malley on May 17, which introduces state-wide smoking prohibition.
Beginning next month, Baltimore will join many other major U.S. cities, such as New York and Washington, D.C., to enforce a law that "Prohibits a person from smoking tobacco products in indoor areas open to the public and indoor places of employment except under specified circumstances" according to an O'Malley press release.
Exempt from these rulings are tobacco shops as well as businesses granted "hardship waivers" by local health authorities if they are able to prove after two months that sales of food and beverage have declined by at least 15 percent. These non-renewable waivers expire in 2011.
Baltimore City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake expressed her elation when members passed the Baltimore Smoking Ban on Feb. 26.
"I am energized by this evening's vote, and am proud to be the president of a city council that takes the health of Baltimoreans so seriously," she said in a press release made public that evening.
The ban has received criticism from the Restaurant Association of Maryland in years past, which in 2005 presented data to lawmakers demonstrating losses in sales for restaurants owning liquor licenses.
The ban, however, may be beneficial to restaurateurs in other ways.
"[The smoking ban] might help cost-wise with the air-purifier that we have to keep running. We can run it less often. Insurance costs might go down, too, because it will reduce the fire risk," Brian "Brooklyn" Sheridan, a bartender at Swallow at the Hollow Restaurant on York Road, said.
For now, restaurant owners remain unaware of how the Clean Air Act will affect business.
"Hopefully it won't hurt us, but it's hard to say," said Eric Leatherman, manager of Mad River Bar and Grille in Federal Hill.
Health advocates are enthusiastic about the new law taking effect.
"I am just glad the state has chosen to take a healthier approach to living and is helping to decrease the chances of non-smokers developing lung problems, mostly due to second-hand smoking," Jessica Callahan said.
Callahan, a sophomore, is a member of the Loyola College Tobacco Intervention Club.
"I think they're making it impossible to smoke because they realize it's not healthy," Leatherman said.
"For me, health-wise, personally it's great," Sheridan said.
Mayor Dixon lauded City Council for their efforts to improve the health standards of Baltimore.
"Bar and restaurant employees have a right to a healthy and safe work environment, and restricting smoking will protect restaurant patrons as well. Smoking bans have taken effect in other jurisdictions and seem to have little or no effect on the restaurant and bar businesses."
One Loyola student, a smoker who wishes to remain anonymous, also admitted his approval of the ban.
"For people who don't smoke, this will be something they appreciate. It would be nice to come home and not have all your clothes reeking of smoke. I don't like that smell, even."
Legislation will be enforced by local health departments. Businesses caught violating the law will be charged $500; individuals, $250.
Howard, Prince George's, Montgomery, and Talbot Counties had each banned smoking prior to the passing of state legislation.
In 2003, 2004, and 2005, Maryland lawmakers killed bills to introduce state-wide smoking bans. O'Malley opted to pass the Clean Indoor Air Act in conjunction with the passage of the Clean Cars bill, Oyster Restoration bill, and the organization of Maryland's Green Building Council.
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