EDITORIAL: Timing is good for smoking ban

Publication Date: 2005-02-04

• Author:Editorial
• Publication:The Daily Times (DE)

A workplace smoking ban that has repeatedly failed to pass the Maryland legislature since 2002 has gained wide approval among state residents, with 63 percent of 804 respondents to a poll saying they favor such a measure, even in bars and restaurants. . . .

Delaware enacted what was the nation's most radical smoking ban in 2002, outlawing smoking in all public places including bars, casinos and restaurants...

In addition to suffering negligible, if any, economic damage, Delaware has also seen an 11 percent decrease in smoking overall since the ban was enacted...

If Maryland legislators pass a comprehensive Clean Air Act this session and ban smoking in public bars and restaurants, it is likely that business will stabilize and perhaps improve...