People in Maryland will now have clean, smoke-free air while working, dining, shopping or relaxing throughout the state.



There will be limited exemptions for some bars and restaurants that prove they lose business because of the ban - but those locations will have to ban smoking in the short-term until they can prove that business has suffered. That means there will not be a bar in the state allowed to permit smoking in February. Businesses that permit smoking after Friday could be fined by the state, though bar and restaurant owners could avoid fines if people light up and the owners can prove they took steps to prevent indoor smoking, such as removing ashtrays and posting no-smoking signs. Smoking is also banned in other public areas - including hotels.



Maryland's Clean Indoor Air Act - Identification Requirements



A "NO SMOKING" sign shall contain the words "NO SMOKING", the international symbol for "NO SMOKING", consisting of a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a circle with a bar across the circle or a combination of the two.



Click here to view our Maryland No Smoking Signs.





06 Posting of Signs.



A. An indoor area open to the public and every public entrance to an indoor area open to the public where smoking is prohibited under Regulation .05A of this chapter shall display conspicuously a "NO SMOKING" sign that conforms to the requirements of Regulation .06E of this chapter.



B. A hotel or motel room in which smoking is permitted shall display a sign containing the words "SMOKING PERMITTED IN THIS ROOM" conforming to the following requirements:



(1) The words "SMOKING PERMITTED IN THIS ROOM" are in capital letters;

(2) The background and the print are in contrasting colors; and

(3) The letters "SMOKING PERMITTED IN THIS ROOM" on the sign are a minimum of 1 inch in height.



C. An indoor area open to the public and every public entrance to an indoor area open to the public where smoking is prohibited in a hotel or motel shall display conspicuously a "NO SMOKING" sign that conforms to the requirements of Regulation .06E of this chapter.



D. A vehicle where smoking is prohibited under Regulation .04A(4) of this chapter shall display conspicuously a "NO SMOKING" sign that conforms to the requirements of Regulation .06E of this chapter.



E. A "NO SMOKING"sign:



(1) Shall contain:

(a) The words "NO SMOKING";

(b) The international symbol for "No Smoking", consisting of a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a circle with a bar across the circle; or

(c) A combination of the words "NO SMOKING" and the international symbol for "No Smoking", and



F. The owner or person in charge shall ensure that a sign required under this regulation is conspicuously posted and in good condition.



The signs offered by Accuform comply with all State of Maryland identification requirements.