Bars, restaurants begin new smoke-free era

Publication Date: 2008-02-01

• Author:SHANTEE WOODARDS
• Publication:The (Annapolis, MD) Capital

Smoking in Maryland bars and restaurants is now officially banned.

The Clean Indoor Act went into effect early this morning with little fanfare.

At the Ebb Tide tavern on Bay Ridge Road just outside of Annapolis last night, signs informing patrons there was to be "no smoking" had yet to go up and smokers continued to puff on their cigarettes.

But the cloud of smoke hanging inside local bars will clear as local health departments work to enforce the law.