Wednesday, December 05, 2007

House bans smoking in "virtually all indoor public places"

The House is on a roll-

In an effort to protect Michigan residents and workers from the dangers of secondhand smoke, the Michigan House today passed a plan proposed by State Representative Brenda Clack (D-Flint) that prohibits smoking in virtually all indoor public places – including restaurants and bars.


With some exceptions.

Clack's plan prohibits smoking in places of employment and most public places, including bars and restaurants. Those who violate the law would be fined up to $100 for the first violation and up to $500 for any subsequent violations. The plan exempts certain cigar bars and tobacco specialty retail stores, casino game room floors, bingo halls and horse racing tracks. Some form of smoke-free law has been passed in 32 states.


This heads to the Senate where the prospects of passage are difficult- Bishop has said this wasn't a "priority" before, but perhaps public pressure will outweigh lobbyist pressure.

If the city of New York and Chicago can do it, we certainly can too. People will quit. From the Chicago Tribune, where the bar ban takes effect on January 1st, comes this-

In New York City, for example, the smoking rate has declined 20 percent since a comprehensive campaign began in 2002, according to the city's health department.

California, which passed a ban in two stages, in 1995 and 1998, saw its smoking rate drop from 17.5 percent in 1998 to 13.3 percent in 2006, according to the state's health department.


So, it is going to happen eventually, might as well get it over with. Save some lives. What say you, Senate?

AP story here.