Posted on 03/11/2005 8:04:17 AM PST by SheLion
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2005
Contact: Melvin Thompson
410-290-6800
Cell 443-463-7349
MARYLAND LAWMAKERS REJECT STATEWIDE SMOKING BAN FOR RESTAURANTS AND BARS
(Columbia, MD) – In an evenly-split vote, Maryland lawmakers have killed a statewide smoking
ban initiative for the third consecutive year. Members of the Senate Finance Committee rejected
the measure on March 4, 2005 by a 5 to 5 vote, effectively killing the bill for the year. Legislation
must win more “yea” than “nay” votes in order to pass.
With many predicting the vote was too close to call, this year’s smoking ban debate was without
question the most heated in recent years, with both sides accusing the other of providing flawed
data about the economic impact of smoking bans. Ultimately, however, the Restaurant Association
of Maryland (RAM) prevailed with irrefutable data from the Maryland Comptroller’s office. The
Association provided to lawmakers data that showed significant sales losses and sharp declines in
the number of restaurants with liquor licenses that filed state sales tax returns from jurisdictions
with local smoking bans (Talbot and Montgomery Counties).
“We figured out how smoking ban proponents were manipulating sales data and we simply called
them on it,” said Melvin Thompson, vice president of government relations for the Restaurant
Association of Maryland. “They’ve been employing the same misleading tactic nationwide -- using
industry-wide sales data to downplay the negative impact that smoking bans have on a specific
segment of the restaurant industry. Instead of letting them get away with it again, we examined
sales data from only those segments of the industry most impacted by smoking bans
(establishments with liquor licenses) and successfully convinced lawmakers that this is the only
data that is relevant.”
During testimony before the Senate Finance Committee, Talbot County Councilwoman Hillary
Spence (the sponsor of Talbot’s smoking ban) questioned the validity of RAM’s data and
maintained that Talbot County restaurants were “thriving.” In the wake of the strength of RAM’s
figures, however, she has since admitted that she made a mathematical error that led her to think
that sales in Talbot County were down by only 1.1 percent. Instead, RAM’s facts accurately show
an 11 percent decline.
“This remains a controversial issue and an uphill battle,” Thompson said. “But the debate should
begin with data that is accurate and relevant.”
###
The Restaurant Association of Maryland currently has 3,000-members statewide. The mission of RAM is to promote, protect and improve the foodservice industry in Maryland. RAM members consist of professionals from the foodservice industry, hotel/motel and lodging industry and businesses that provide products to the hospitality industry.
Restaurant Association of Maryland
Steve F. De Castro Building
6301 Hillside Court
Columbia, Maryland 21046
800-874-1313 fax 410-290-6882
www.marylandrestaurants.com
http://www.marylandrestaurants.com
A-holes.
For those of us who have been fighting this issue for years, the information provided by Thompson and his group comes as no surprise.
I'm thrilled the powers that be in Annapolis saw the righting on the wall.
I have to laugh at the comments from the Talbot County legislator.........a 1.1 decline in business is a "thriving" business? I'm very familiar with Talbot county and have seen the decline myself, the 11 percent is not a surprise in the least, although I was surprised it wasn't higher.
Well, how about that!
Some sanity from what Les Kinsolving calls "The Land of Political Enchantment" in Annapolis.
Ain't the beer cold!
That and bottom feeders too. Hi Joe!
While I'm glad about this I live in Montgomery County, MD and they already banned smoking almost everywhere. The nannies around here love to tell us all what to do.
Get a hold of the guy from the RAM....he may have the "real" numbers for Montgomery County and you may be able to use them to prove the council was lied to about the economic impact.
I know it's Montgomery County, but what have you got to lose?
It's a crying shame that I live in New England and my state of Maine was forced into total smoking bans.
But if the rest of the United States can see the choked economy in this area and learn by this, it will give the rest of the business owner's a fighting chance. Just get the word out:
"I NEED MY REVENUE. MY EMPLOYEES NEED THEIR JOBS. NO FORCED SMOKING BANS WILL EVER BE CONSIDERED!"
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here.
“This remains a controversial issue and an uphill battle,” Thompson said. “But the debate should begin with data that is accurate and relevant.”
It was a mathematical error, honest, but you can depend on our accurate and relevant information.
Honest.
Great fun watching the little stinker squirm when she got caught.
Wonderful news! It gives me some hope here in Missouri!
I'm glad they cleared that up.... I never realized this. :-)
Isn't it wonderful? I sure wish Maine could have put up a fight like this. We had no chance.
Guess it was just a little decimal point "malfunction", huh?
FMCDH(BITS)
Isn't that ridiculous?!
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