Citing strong evidence of the dangers from secondhand smoke and the Maryland Department of Health s statistics that exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is responsible for the deaths of about 1,000 Marylanders each year, the three Councilmembers called for County residents to join them in support of this important legislation. They are good for the patrons, the employees, and the owners. Brookline, Massachusetts, New York City, Boulder, Colorado, West Lake, Texas, and the State of California have all passed similar legislation, and all are prospering. Closer to home, Howard County passed a law prohibiting smoking in restaurants in 1996 and has since had many new restaurants open there, including quite a few national franchises. This legislation is important for several reasons.
Restaurants have such high levels of tobacco smoke, and most restaurant employees are women.
We have received information that waitresses die of lung cancer more often than any other women s occupational group. In my opinion, this makes protection from secondhand smoke a workplace and a women s issue. Certainly, we are trying to shield the patrons of County restaurants from the effects of secondhand smoke, but we are also trying to protect vulnerable employees who are often single parents or young adults. Restaurant patrons need this protection now. Restaurant employees shouldn t have to choose between their health or a paycheck, and patrons have the right to a smoke-free environment in all places of public accommodation, including restaurants.