The fate of a proposed statewide smoking ban in bars and restaurants could be sealed by the Baltimore City Council?s vote on its own ban, scheduled for next week.
“I think it?ll make a big difference,” said Del. Eric Bromwell, D-Baltimore County, whose family was in the restaurant business and who has opposed the smoking ban bill the last four years.
“I don?t think it?s going to have much of an impact,” said Del. Curt Anderson, D-Baltimore City. “There aren?t so many people on the fence that the city ban would change that many votes.”
But the state proposal has hurdles beyond whether Baltimore City?s bars go smoke-free, said Del. Dereck Davis, D-Prince George?s, chairman of the House Economic Matters Committee.
“I think there?s still some hesitation about whether it should be done at the state level, because the bans have been done in so many individual jurisdictions and there are still people who just oppose the bill,” he said. “I don?t think we?ve reached a consensus yet.”
Bromwell said he would like to see the bill give smaller businesses some help, like a tax credit, to offset the feared financial losses. But he said he will still likely oppose the bill.
The statewide ban?s lobbying effort kicked off during the first week of the session, and the bills were introduced in early February, but have not yet been scheduled for committee hearings.
The ban could have a hearing in early March, but the status of the Baltimore City ban had not played a role in his committee?s scheduling, Davis said.
If the ban is approved, Baltimore City would join Montgomery, Prince George?s, Howard and Talbot counties in becoming smoke-free.
IF YOU GO
» What: Pro-smoking-ban rally
» When: 7 p.m. today
» Where: Lawyer?s Mall in front of the State House in Annapolis
