State Status
No Preemption
News Summary
Md. House of Delegates passes smoking ban by 98-40 vote
Publication Date: 2007-03-24
- Author:Jennifer Skalka
- Publication:Baltimore (MD) Sun
State Senate will vote on similar legislation Monday; both bills would go into effect in 2008
The Maryland House of Delegates overwhelmingly approved a proposal to ban smoking in most indoor public establishments today, with supporters applauding vigorously after passage for a measure they said marks a step toward mitigating the health consequences of second-hand smoke.
The final vote was 98-40.
"Public health has to take precedence over profit," said Del. Dereck Davis, a Prince George's County Democrat.
Detractors knocked the bill for hitting small businesses and veterans, who gather at American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars clubs across the state.