Maryland Passes Tough Smoking Law, Rejects Total Indoor Workplace Ban

ANNAPOLIS--The General Assembly of Maryland passed into law a bill introduced by Governor Parris Glendenning (D) to ban smoking in every indoor workplace in the state, except for restaurants and bars that hold liquor licenses. The bill was a compromise with the Governor's original intention to include restaurants and bars in the smoking ban. Nevertheless, the law, which went into effect March 29, is considered the most restrictive state law in the nation.