Smoking situation in MD?
 

ISTR that MD recently(ish) passed a no-smoking law, but that there may be some exceptions, eg at the bar etc.

Can anybody please enlighten me as to what the position is? I'm familliar with the situation in VA and DC, but am planning on meeting a buddy for a drink in MD and it'd be nice to enjoy a ciggie with it. :)

NB: I intend this post to be solely a question about where I might be able to smoke, not a discussion starter about whether no-smoking laws are good or bad, whether smokers are the scum of the earth etc etc. ;)

It depends on where in MD you are. For example, no smoking at restaurants or bars in Montgomery County. But you are able to smoke at bars in Baltimore County.

Didn't PG County adopt similar rules recently?

Yes, no smoking in PG County either. But why would anyone want to go to PG Country for drinks????

As a side note, D.C. will implement a smoking-ban at all bars and restuarants beginning Jan 1, 2007. No more smelling like an ashtray after a meeting with clients!

I can't think of a reason. I was just curious because I had heard that. I lived in PG until a few months ago.

Thanks for the info all. So, I'm looking at Baltimore county then?

You can also smoke at bars in Baltimore city. The city council is considering a smoking ban but it has not been passed yet, so for the time being you are still OK there. I don't know where in MD your friend lives, but Baltimore has some interesting bars.

The smoking bans have been introduced by county. So far as I know, the only counties with a ban currently in place are Montgomery and PG. Howard County will be non-smoking as of June 2007.

So, just stay out of PG and Montgomery counties and you should be fine. Be aware though, some restaurants have gone non-smoking on their own. Particulary in the Columbia, MD area.

Where were you planning on meeting for drinks?

Thanks again all, I'll pass this on.

No idea, I asked my friend to pick someplace, as he's local. But I'll be back in town on Dec 1st for an evening. With any luck that might coincide with a DC area happy hour... :)