Although nearly all county hopefuls said they would keep the smoking ban intact, they were divided on whether or not to prohibit smoking on all county-owned campuses.
“I think that would go too far and isn?t really necessary,” said Adam Sachs, Democratic candidate for County Council District 2.
The issue was raised by Smoke Free Howard County, a volunteer organization based in Columbia that supported the ban, in a questionnaire distributed to county executives and council candidates.
The survey asked if they would pledge not to weaken the current law, and if they would support establishing a 100 percent smoke-free grounds for county-owned campuses, such as the county office buildings in Ellicott City.
Glenn Schneider, legislative chairman for Smoke Free Howard County, said smoke-free campuses are a growing trend among businesses across the country as a way to help people quit smoking.
Like several other candidates, Sachs said he supports the current law, which went into effect Aug. 8, banning smoking at public meetings, workplaces, newly opened restaurants and bars, concerts, sports events and events such as fireworks displays and festivals. Restaurants and bars with smoking sections have until June 1 to comply.
Several other candidates also agreed additional bans might be extreme.
“I think we have to let people have their access to their lifestyles, and that includes smoking if they want,” said Tom D?Asto, Republican candidate for the District 4 council seat.
However, some supported the potential for smoke-free county-owned property. Independent county executive candidate Stephen Wallis said he would expand the scope of the law, but allow a longer phase in period to adopt the rules.
“We would do that because of the overwhelming health aspects of such policies,” Wallis said. “I think [health] trumps politics.”
Republican county executive candidate Chris Merdon was the only candidate for a county seat not to respond to the survey. Merdon said the organization unfairly portrayed his position on the smoking ban, and he is trying to focus on different issues.
“We have debated the smoking issue enough,” he said, adding that he is campaigning on issues of growth and schools. “Those are the issues the voters want to talk about.”
Q & A
Smoke-Free Howard County sent a survey to Howard County candidates asking three questions:
» Will you pledge not to weaken the current law?
» Will you support legislation to limit the location of significant tobacco retailers?
» Will you support the establishment of 100 percent smoke-free county-owned campuses?
For complete candidate responses, see sfhoward.info
