As Baltimore City lawmakers weigh a proposed smoking ban in restaurants and bars, Baltimore County legislators said support for a similar law in their jurisdiction hasn?t gained much momentum.
Despite informal discussions among them and frequent requests from supporters of a smoking ban, members of the Baltimore County Council said they will likely wait to see if city lawmakers approve a ban in a vote Dec. 4 and if the move has an economic impact on establishments near the city-county border.
County President John Olszewski, D-District 7, said he thinks a ban should be considered solely at the state level, a position County Executive Jim Smith shares.
“The county executive and mayor, or governor-elect, have both been in agreement in that they believe it should be instituted statewide instead of district by district,” said county spokesman Don Mohler. “[Smith] would be concerned about disadvantaging one jurisdiction over another.”
Despite bans in Washington as well as Prince George?s, Montgomery, Howard and Talbot counties, lobbyists have defeated statewide restrictions the past four years.
But supporters said they will try again this year ? hopefully with a boost from the city. If Baltimore approves the ban, supporters from the Maryland Public Interest Research Group said 46 percent of the state?s population will be covered by a ban, and that the remaining counties will likely follow suit.
Del. Barbara Frush, D-Anne Arundel and Prince George?s, and state Sen. Robert Garagiola, D-Montgomery, will sponsor the legislation, policy advocate Johanna Neumann said.
Neumann said studies show smoking bans do not decrease sales in affected restaurants and bars, a conclusion that critics challenge. If the city?s ban passes, bar and restaurant owners in bordering counties such as Baltimore and Anne Arundel can expect a boost, they said.
