Liquor-promotion model Erica London weaves through bar stools and tables carrying cocktail trays of shots in eight-hour shifts.
By night?s end, she?s inhaled the equivalent of 16 cigarettes, without ever lighting up.
“It?s unbearable at times,” London said. “Usually 30 minutes into my shift my eyes start to burn. By the end of the night, I have a sore throat and can barely speak.”
London was one of many restaurant and bar workers who gathered Monday morning at the Bayou Cafe in White Marsh to promote a statewide smoking ban before Maryland?s General Assembly. The workers hope Maryland will join 16 other states and Washington ? plus Montgomery, Prince George?s, Talbot and Howard counties ? in making smokers step outside before lighting up.
Recent studies indicate 70 percent of Marylanders support a statewide ban, but the initiative sorely needs leadership to combat powerful Annapolis lobbyists for the bar and restaurant industry, Smoke Free Maryland Coalition Spokeswoman Kari Applersaid.
Many of those gathered at their own rally Monday afternoon outside City Hall, where members of the City Council discussed a citywide smoking ban at their meeting Monday night. Members of the Annapolis City Council also considered a local ban Monday night.
“There is no one, as far as I?m concerned, in the state, federal or local governments that knows what?s best for me and my business more than me,” Baltimore Comedy Factory owner Mickey Cucchiella said. “This is about choice.” The Baltimore Comedy Factory?s main dining room is nonsmoking.
Evidence of the impact of local smoking bans is anecdotal and conflicting. Brian Fox said he voluntarily banned smoking at his Sly Fox Bar in Baltimore?s Federal Hill last month and business increased substantially. He said people who choose a bar because it?s smoke-free are more likely to return, and bring their friends.
But gauging from his Keno sales, Willy K?s restaurant owner Willy Koutroumpis said revenue in his Prince George?s location dipped as much as 26 percent in one month since the ban began. Business in his Anne Arundel location is up, he said.
“If 85 percent of my customers said they didn?t want smoking, I would change in a minute,” he said.
There are no hearing dates scheduled for matching bills in the state Senate and House of Delegates as of Monday.
