Smoking ban effective now in Michigan
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The Michigan smoking ban took effect Saturday May 1 2010, making the state the 38th state to enact a smoking free law.
The legislation that is supported by the public was signed into law by Gov. Jennifer Granholm more than four months ago.
Health advocates had sought the ban for many years hoping that it can cut down on the health hazards of second hand smoke, which is believed to cause lung cancer and other health conditions.
The Dr. Ron Davis Smoke Free Air Law bans smoking in most Michigan workplaces and public buildings including restaurants, bars, shopping malls, bowling alleys, concert halls, arenas, museums, mechanic shops, health facilities, nursing homes, education facilities, and child care centers.
There are exemptions. The law does not cover gaming floors at Detroit's three casinos, 20 casinos run by Indian tribes in the state and cigar bars and tobacco specialty shops that meet certain criteria, according to a report by the AP.
Health officials expected that it would take some time to enforce the health law as they said smoking is a social behaviour.
The law applies mostly to indoor areas but also to some outdoor areas such as a restaurant patio where employees are present and food and drink are served.
Some key points about the Michigan smoke free law
Under the new health law. smoking is now banned in most public places in the state. The law covers any workplace, any food service establishment, and public places including, but not limited to restaurants, bars, shopping malls, bowling alleys, concert halls, arenas, museums, mechanic shops, health facilities, nursing homes, education facilities and child care centers.
The Michigan legislature passed the law on Dec 10, 2009 and Gov. Granholm signed the bill into law on Dec 18, 2009.
The smoke free law specifies the minimum requirements for indoor workplaces and public places. That is, if the local regulation/ordinance is weaker, the state law has the final say.
A public place subject to the smoke ban means indoor areas owned or operated by a state or local governmental agency and used by the general public; indoor areas used by the general public and is an educational facility, a home for the aged, nursing home, hospice, hospital long term care unit, auditorium, arenas, theater, museum, concert halls, facility that us used for a performance or exhibit of the arts; working place.
The law does not cover home office, but does cover offices in a commercial work establishment.
Business operators should prohibit smoking in areas where is is not allowed.
For more information, read
http://www.michigan.gov/smokefreelaw
JD
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If the public was honestly and truthfully informed about the effects of second-hand smoke, there would be fewer no-smoking laws in this country.
There has never been a single study showing that exposure to the low levels of smoke found in bars and restaurants with decent modern ventilation and filtration systems kills or harms anyone.
As to the annoyance of smoking, a compromise between smokers and non-smokers can be reached, through setting a quality standard and the use of modern ventilation technology.
Air ventilation can easily create a comfortable environment that removes not just passive smoke, but also and especially the potentially serious contaminants that are independent from smoking.
Thomas Laprade
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