The Maryland Senate approved a statewide ban on smoking in bars and restaurants last night after days of negotiations on a compromise measure that dropped exemptions for private clubs. The General Assembly is expected to approve to the measure Monday, when the House of Delegates takes a final vote on the bill.
The Senate's vote, 31-16, came last night after negotiators from the Senate and the House of Delegates spent the day hashing out what had become a major sticking point: whether the ban should allow exemptions for private clubs such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. The statewide ban would primarily prohibit lighting up in restaurants and bars, which were not covered when the state prohibited smoking in most workplaces more than a decade ago. The ban would not apply to tobacco shops.
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Gov. Martin O'Malley has lobbied for the ban and pledged to sign legislation if it reaches his desk. He has said he would prefer the bill to have as few exemptions as possible.
"Governor O'Malley looks forward to signing the smoking ban into law," said Rick Abbruzzese, an O'Malley spokesman. "This is a significant step to improving the health of Maryland's families."
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