Maryland residents to be fined for smoking at home

Legislature at Montgomery county in the American State of Maryland has approved one of strictest laws against smokers. According to it, home smokers may be fined if the smoke produced by their cigarettes disturb their neighbours, the Washington Post newspaper reports. The new law is titled “Of air quality standards.” Cigarette smoke is put here on the same footing as the “potentially harmful substances,” such as asbestos and pesticides. If the smoke penetrates into the neighbouring house or apartment, their residents may make complaints against the smoke with the Department for Environmental Protection. “It does not mean that you have no right to smoke. It just means that the smoke may not penetrate beyond the limits of your property. Should the smoke reach your neighbours, you will be warned first. But if the problem is still there, you or your landlord may be fined at the amount of up to $750,” a spokesman for the county’s council is quoted as saying. However, human rights organization have called the new law “incorrect,” the more so that “the poor are going to be mostly hurt.” Maryland’s tobacco producing companies have also came up to say their “no” to the new law, threatening to sue the legislature. Douglas Duncan, the county’s prefect, says he will sign this bill into law, because it is needed to preserve the county residents’ health. At present, according to the Washington Post, it is already forbidden in Montgomery and Maryland’s other counties to smoke in offices, bars, restaurants, and even in parks and stadiums.

Maryland residents to be fined for smoking at home Legislature at Montgomery county in the American State of Maryland has approved one of strictest laws against smokers. According to it, home smokers may be fined if the smoke produced by their cigarettes disturb their neighbours, the Washington Post newspaper reports. The new law is titled “Of air quality standards.” Cigarette smoke is put here on the same footing as the “potentially harmful substances,” such as asbestos and pesticides. If the smoke penetrates into the neighbouring house or apartment, their residents may make complaints against the smoke with the Department for Environmental Protection. “It does not mean that you have no right to smoke. It just means that the smoke may not penetrate beyond the limits of your property. Should the smoke reach your neighbours, you will be warned first. But if the problem is still there, you or your landlord may be fined at the amount of up to $750,” a spokesman for the county’s council is quoted as saying. However, human rights organization have called the new law “incorrect,” the more so that “the poor are going to be mostly hurt.” Maryland’s tobacco producing companies have also came up to say their “no” to the new law, threatening to sue the legislature. Douglas Duncan, the county’s prefect, says he will sign this bill into law, because it is needed to preserve the county residents’ health. At present, according to the Washington Post, it is already forbidden in Montgomery and Maryland’s other counties to smoke in offices, bars, restaurants, and even in parks and stadiums.