Absent a legislative ban on indoor smoking, one Maryland lawmaker is proposing to give tax credits to businesses that voluntarily impose smoking bans, WBAL-TV reported Jan. 27.

"I'm just trying to get the carrot out there, rather than kill businesses," said State Sen. Katherine Klausmeier (D-Baltimore County). Businesses could get a tax credit equal to 15 percent of their business tax liability under Klausmeier's plan.

Critics said the plan would be costly to taxpayers. "You are using tax dollars to promote a certain person's social views (or) social policy. I don't think that's appropriate use of tax dollars. We should let the free market decide these things," said state Sen. Alex Mooney.

Attempts to pass a statewide indoor-smoking ban in Maryland have been unsuccessful in recent years.