ANNAPOLIS, MD -- Maryland legislators have their hands full with whether to impose a statewide smoking ban; however, one state senator is more interested in offering tax credits to businesses that voluntarily impose smoking bans.

Sen. Katherine Klausmeier, (D-District 8) commented to television station WBAL that she is trying to “get the carrot out there, rather than kill businesses” with her legislation, which would create an income tax credit of 15 percent of the state income tax for that taxable year.

“I know the problems that many bar and restaurant owners may have going smoke-free. They really are afraid of it, and many of them think it's going to kill their business,” Klausmeier told the news source.

Meanwhile, state Sen. Alex Mooney (R-District 3) is not on board with Klausmeier's plan. “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,” he told the news source, adding, “I’d be for lowering taxes, but not just tying a tax to a liberal social policy where people want to control what other people do, like smoking."

According to the news source, some analysts say that if 5,500 merchants became smoke-free, giving them a tax credit would cost state taxpayers $5.3 million each year.