Maryland Goes Smoke-Free

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Despite the long-standing battle over the language of Ohio’s anti-smoking legislation, The People’s Republic of Maryland now follows suit with a state-wide smoking ban. Yesterday, Governor Martin O’Malley signed the bill which will go into effect on February 1, 2008, prohibiting smoking in public places including restaurants, bars, and private clubs. Realistically, states do not belong in such a decision whatsoever. If public health is a primary concern, why not focus on the overwhelming prevalence of STDs in the state? According to the Centers for Disease Control, Maryland ranks #5 in reported cases of primary and secondary syphilis among all states and U.S. territories. Choose your battles, guvnah.