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La Plata Passes Ban on Smoking

July 21st, 2006 at 09:12 am

http://hot-cigs.com/news/Jul-21-2006/La-Plata-Passes-Ban-on-Smoking.1294.html






The La Plata Town Council passed an ordinance Tuesday night that bans smoking in and around the town's restaurants and bars, a measure that is more stringent than the smoking ban that went into effect for Charles County last month.


The La Plata measure drew fire from some in the business community who say a smoking ban could hurt their revenue. About 40 residents attended Tuesday's council meeting, and several of them offered emphatic comments, fueling a 90-minute discussion of the ordinance. But with four affirmative votes -- Mayor Gene Ambrogio abstained -- the five-member council adopted the ban on smoking, which will go into effect Oct. 15 in the Charles County seat.

The council decided to hammer out the details of the ban, particularly those regarding enforcement, in separate working group meetings, and members said they are still open to suggestions from business owners and residents. But the basic structure was adopted for the ban on smoking in bars, restaurants and public places as well as within 20 feet of public entrances to commercial establishments.

The Charles County ban prohibits smoking in restaurants and outdoor facilities that are operated by the county, such as parks. Establishments such as bars where a majority of revenue is beverage-based are exempted from the ban.

The La Plata law is intended to keep people from smoking inside and at the entrance of public places. The ordinance was not designed to harm the business community or discriminate against people who smoke, said Ward 2 council member C. Keith Back, who introduced the measure. The council pledged Tuesday to retool the specific language of the ordinance if necessary so it does not unduly harm businesses.

"The intention is not to take away anyone's right to smoke," Back said. "They can smoke on their own property or 20 feet away from the entrance. The point is to protect the patrons and employees who are inside the restaurant or bar from secondhand smoke."

Council members promised an extensive campaign to educate residents and visitors about the smoking ban.

The comments of those who addressed the council at Tuesday's meeting varied, but most were critical of the proposal. Business owners raised questions about enforcement and worried that they would be responsible for policing their establishments. Council members said such issues would be resolved in the working groups they plan to convene.

Kathleen Quade, 49, of La Plata said she does not mind an ordinance to ban smoking in restaurants but thinks a ban in bars is too much.

"You're taking away the rights of individuals. Smoking is legal. Smoking tobacco is legal," she said. "Once you are in that adult age bracket, you have a right to choose whether you go into that establishment. And as a business owner, you have the right to decide whether you are a smoke-free establishment."

Some La Plata restaurants, which were not included in the countywide ban, already started smoking bans of their own. Outback Steakhouse, at Route 301 and Port Tobacco Road, instituted a ban so that it would have the same smoking policy as its sister restaurant in Waldorf.

"It seems to be working out for us," manager Ben Hoffmaster said. "We've had a very good turnout from our clientele. There have been very, very little complaints about it. A lot of praise in the fact that we have chosen to go nonsmoking."

Smoking bans in Charles seemed improbable not too long ago. For nearly three centuries, tobacco was Southern Maryland's premier cash crop. Tobacco once drove the economy in the tri-county area, which produced about 80 percent of the state's tobacco harvest.

But scientists have found secondhand smoke to be a leading cause of cancer. A recent Johns Hopkins University study commissioned by the American Cancer Society found that secondhand smoke costs Maryland $600 million a year in health care and lost wages due to illness.

Jurisdictions across the nation have instituted smoking bans in the past few years. At least 14 states have banned smoking in public places, although state lawmakers in Annapolis and Richmond rejected statewide bans this year.

In addition to Charles, several jurisdictions in the Washington region already have smoking bans. Montgomery, Prince George's and Talbot counties prohibit smoking in eating and drinking establishments. Howard County's ban on smoking in restaurants and bars will go into effect next month. In the District, smoking is banned in restaurant dining rooms, and the ban will be extended to bars, nightclubs and the bar areas of restaurants in January.

3 Responses to “La Plata Passes Ban on Smoking”

  1. rusty@saving Says:
    1153481328

    ummmm....this is a PERSONAL FINANCE blog....what does this have to do with anything?

  2. yummy64 Says:
    1153615780

    Thank you for posting. I prefer frequent businesses that are non smoking. Your blog will assist me with that! I appreciate your posting these!

  3. Champion Cheapskate Says:
    1154203590

    How much do smokers pay each year to smoke? What about the extra air and breath fresheners, the extra insurance costs, fire hazards, cigarette burns in carpets, clothes, etc., lost worker productivity, and the cost to society. Early death, increased disease risk, just what do smokers save by quitting?

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