The success of Baltimore City?s smoking ban in bars and restaurants might have changed a few lawmakers? minds, but the fate of the statewide ban remains clouded.
The statewide ban, sponsored by Sen. Robert Garagiola, D-Montgomery, and Del. Barbara Frush, D-Prince George?s, is scheduled for a hearing in the House Economic Matters Committee March 7. Smoking bans have been passed in Montgomery, Prince George?s, Howard and Talbot counties.
“If the statewide ban passes, the governor will sign it,” said Rick Abbruzzese, spokesman for Gov. Martin O?Malley. “The public health data seems to show that the ban would significantly improve the health of Maryland.”
Garagiola said he was “feeling very good” about the number of favorable votes in the Senate, though Senate Finance Committee Chairman Thomas Middleton, D-Charles, said the committee remained deadlocked on the issue.
“We?ve crossed that threshold now,” Garagiola said. “Two-thirds of the population now lives in one of these [areas where a smoking ban is in effect.]”
“I suggested to the sponsor that he get a vote count on the floor,” Middleton said. “I?m not willing to let a bill come out on the floor and die.”
Del. Dereck Davis, D-Prince George?s, chair of the House Economic Matters Committee, said he supported the idea of a smoking ban as “good public policy,” but said he wasn?t sure if a statewide ban would do the job better than localized bans.
Senate President Thomas Mike Miller said the statewide ban likely would pass because “all the major subdivisions have a ban ? it makes sense.” But Miller himself said he was conflicted on the issue, considering he represents an area of southern Maryland with a rich history in the tobacco trade.
Del. Carolyn Krysiak, D-Baltimore City, said she had been reluctant in the past to support a ban in Baltimore City because of fears about the negative impact on businesses in her district that border Baltimore County.
“I think I can vote very easily on a statewide ban,” said Krysiak, also a member of the Economic Matters Committee. “It?s no problem for me now.”
