Statewide Smoking Ban to Become Law
Effective February 1, 2008
Maryland lawmakers have approved a statewide smoking ban. This bill, sponsored by Delegate Barbara Frush (D-Prince George’s) and Senator Robert Garagiola (D- Montgomery), bans smoking in all restaurants, bars, taverns, private clubs and fraternal organizations statewide. Only tobacco retail stores (e.g. cigar shops) will be exempt. When it was clear that a smoking ban would pass, RAM worked hard to ensure that private clubs (major competition for many bars and taverns) were not exempted from the ban. Local jurisdictions may continue to maintain or pass local smoking ordinances that are more restrictive than the statewide law. Businesses that suffer significant losses as a result of the smoking ban can apply for temporary economic hardship waivers. The criteria to qualify for such waivers will be determined by the State Health Department, in consultation with the State Comptroller. Currently, no one knows what the qualifying criteria will be, but we predict such information will be made public by the end of this year. While the criteria will be developed at the State level, local health departments will process and grant the waiver requests. Again, the waivers are only temporary. All waivers granted will expire on January 31, 2011.
For more information, contact Melvin Thompson
in the RAM office at 800-874-1313.
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Federal Issues
For information about Federal issues that are important to the foodservice industry, please visit our National Restaurant Association partner by clicking below.
For more information about legislative/regulatory issues, please contact Melvin Thompson, Vice President of Government Relations, at 800.874.1313 ext. 1007
Revised 01/06
