PUBLIC HEALTH VICTORY — Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon holds up the Maryland PIRG-backed Clean Indoor Air Act after signing it into law on February 28th, 2006. The city council passed the legislation by a vote of 9-2. The city’s leadership was influential in passing strong smoke-free legislation on the state level.

In a victory for public health, on April 9th, 2006 Maryland became the 18th state to pass Maryland-PIRG backed smoke-free workplace legislation. Baltimore City’s decision to go smoke-free in February played a crucial role in the state-wide bill’s success.

“This is an historic night in this chamber and for our city,” said Baltimore City Council vice-president and lead bill sponsor Robert W. Curran on February 26th, the eve of the city bill’s passage. “Lives will be saved”.

The victory came in the wake of an extensive public mobilization by the Smoke-free Charm City Coalition, including Maryland PIRG, the American Cancer Society, Smoke-free Maryland and others. Together we collected postcards, canvassed neighborhoods, held press events with supportive restaurant owners, and lobbied city council-members. Second-hand smoke kills over 150 Baltimore residents each year, and the display of broad-based public demand for smoke-free legislation pushed the City Council to action.

The Baltimore City decision injected critical momentum in a stalled statewide bill. Howard, Prince George’s, Talbot, and Montgomery counties already had similar laws on the books and Baltimore’s decision proved to be the tipping point.

On the eve of Baltimore City’s vote, state bill sponsor Sen. Robert Garagiola said, “It’s great that the city is taking a leadership role and we’re hopeful that this provides additional momentum to pass a statewide ban.”

Gov. O’Malley is expected to sign the Clean Indoor Air Act into law in May 2007. And starting Feb 1st 2008, restaurant workers and customers in Maryland will be able to breathe a little easier.