Scarcnet News Summaries (Advocacy Institute)
Montgomery County Maryland Considers Smokefree Restaurant Ordinance
Length: pages
Abstract
Maryland's Montgomery County Council is considering legislation that would ban smoking inside all county restaurants, closing a loophole that allows restaurants to establish separate smoking rooms.County Council President Isiah Leggett (D), the bill's lead sponsor, said, "We want to be a business-friendly community, but we have a bigger objective. We want to be a community that cares about the health of our citizens." Leggett predicted the bill will pass by a slim margin, but it still faces an uncertain reception from County Executive Douglas Duncan. Business groups, including a coalition of local chambers of commerce are opposing the bill, saying it "hurts an industry that brings a lot of money into the county." [<b>Editor's Note</b>: Montgomery County does not allow free-standing bars. This legislation would affect restaurants and restaurants with bars.]
Source: Scott Wilson, "Montgomery May Ban Smoking In Restaurants," WASHINGTON POST, January 20, 1999, p. B1.