These are some notes regarding smoke-free legislation in Michigan. The Michigan smoke-free legislation went into effect on May 1, 2010.
Michigan bills to prohibit smoking in the workplace have been languishing in the Legislature since 2000. One bill applies to food-service establishments, whereas the other applies to all other work places. Two different bills are needed because of Michigan’s unique health code, which lists food-service establishments like bars and restaurants under different safety regulations than other workplaces. The bills themselves are very simple. They define the locations, prohibit smoking in those locations, specify civil fines and other enforcement provisions, and then tie up legal loose ends.
Nearly two-thirds (63.3 percent, +/- 4 percent) of 600 registered Michigan voters polled in March 2005 would "strongly favor" or "somewhat favor" a law creating smokefree environments in all places of business except for private homes that are used for business purposes (View Polling Results). Despite popular support and incontrovertable benefits, the legislature has not acted on the bills for the past six years, with the reasons being voter apathy and industry lobbying.
If you view the WXYZ News final debate between candidates Dick DeVos and Governor Jennifer Granholm online (Oct 16, 2006 - link no longer available).
Fast forward to 15:40 to hear Diana Lewis ask the question that Jeff Calebs, Wayne County Tobacco Coalition Coordinator, submitted regarding support for smokefree air. Jeff was one of 30 people selected to be in the audience. DeVos said he would not support legislation that made bars, restaurants, and other public places smokefree. Granholm said she would sign the bills if they showed up on her desk.
From the Office of Shirly Johnson, Michigan State Senator, 13th District
July 5, 2006 (excerpt)
First and foremost, [legislation to prohibit smoking] is certainly a state legislative concern; however, most counties have their own statutes restricting smoking. In fact, Ingham County adopted the state's first ever smoke-free regulation that restricted smoking in public and private work-sites. This has now become the basis for several other Michigan counties. The State of Michigan, counties, and private citizens have worked with the University of Michigan's Smoke Free Environmental Law Project (SFELP). This project is primarily funded through the Department of Community Health. You can contact SFELP at (734) 665-1126 for informal legal advice, as well as assistance with eliminating public smoking in your place of business or residence.
As you know, two Bills have been introduced this legislative session regarding the prohibition of smoking in work places and restaurants. Senate Bill 394-395 and House Bill 4624-4625 currently await support in Committee. There have been several proposed legislative measures in past sessions which sought to address the issue of smoking in work places. However, in the past, legislation to this effect has failed to garner sufficient support.
For a more comprehensive and up-to-date list, please visit the Smoke-Free Michigan News page.
U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona issued a comprehensive scientific report on second-hand smoke on June 27, 2006 that concludes that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. He emphasized that sustained efforts are required to protect the more than 126 million Americans who continue to be regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in the home, at work, and in enclosed public spaces. The major conclusions, derived from a review of decades of research findings, are as follows:
From the USA Today, Secondhand smoke debate 'over', 6/27/2006:
The report does provide strong support for smoke-free laws. Contrary to tobacco industry-financed studies, smoke-free policies do not hurt business for bars, restaurants and other venues, the report concludes. The report strongly criticizes the tobacco industry for financing biased studies to undermine carefully conducted, peer-reviewed research on the economic effects of smoking bans in an effort to "sustain controversy even as the scientific community reached consensus."
I went to club Exodus in Greektown and Como's Restaurant in Ferndale over Mother's day weekend, May 13-14, 2006. Although the music and food were a blast, after returning from both places, I felt sick from the cigarette smoke. I felt as if I had been made to eat some rat poison. In effect, I had, since second-hand smoke contains arsenic, a potent rat poison. This provoked me to write up this page, with some thoughts that have been stewing in my head for a long time. It is so unfair that non-smokers can't enjoy Michigan night-life without being poisoned by smokers. Maybe Michigan wouldn't have such an exodus of yuppies if it offered the proper amenities, like a public smoking ban.
Some people think smoking is a personal choice. Whatever happened to personal responsibility?
Opponents of smoking bans like to say it is an invasion of personal liberty and interference in free markets. The 1977 ban on leaded paint was also an invasion of personal liberty and interference in free markets. By the opponent's ideological argument, lead paint should be legalized again. Maybe then, it can overtake smoking as the number one poisoner of Americans.
Opponents scare you with the prospect of runaway legislation and big government. In reality, the hurdles to pass any legislation are so high that it is highly unlikely that those silly bans on fried foods would ever be enacted. Besides, fried foods do not, by themselves, kill thousands of people every year.