An anti-smoking coalition wants Baltimore County officials to back legislation against smoking in the workplace, a measure similar to a new Montgomery County law that is among the strictest in the nation.
The coalition, called Smoke Free Baltimore County, has met with County Executive James T. Smith Jr. and is turning its attention to County Council members.
"Smoking is a huge problem," said Dr. Joseph Adams, a physician at Greater Baltimore Medical Center and the coalition's secretary. "It is the No. 1 health problem. Tobacco causes one-third of all cancer; one in five deaths in the U.S. is directly the result of tobacco use."
Smith said he is committed to preventing smoking and enforcing laws against tobacco sales to minors -- another issue that the coalition is pressing.
As for a ban on smoking in workplaces, which would include restaurants and bars, Smith said he would consider the idea but is concerned about the economic impact.
"We want to protect our businesses while we protect our citizens," said Renee Samuels, Smith's spokeswoman.
The coalition has scheduled a meeting with council Chairman Kevin Kamenetz this month. A spokeswoman for Kamenetz said he declined to comment until he knows exactly what the group is seeking.
The strictest anti-smoking law in the state was signed July 10 by Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan. It will ban smoking in restaurants and bars beginning Oct. 9 but doesn't affect outdoor dining areas or private clubs.
Howard and Talbot counties also have anti-smoking laws that are stronger than the state law, but they are not as restrictive as Montgomery County's. In Howard County, smoking in restaurants is allowed only in a separate, enclosed bar; Talbot County allows smoking only at the bar and adjacent tables.
State law restricts smoking to designated areas in workplaces, bars, restaurants and hotels or motels and other public establishments.
As part of its anti-smoking campaign, the Baltimore County volunteer coalition recently created an online list of 423 smoke-free restaurants in the county, Adams said.
The project, funded by a $10,000 grant from the local health department's Cigarette Restitution Fund Program, included mailings to all county restaurants about the economic and health benefits of smoke-free dining.
"Having a smoke-free environment isn't harmful to the restaurants economically," Adams said. "The survey shows that full-service, smoke-free restaurants are thriving."
