Cigar Weekly

LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan Senate on Thursday voted to prohibit smoking in all bars, restaurants and workplaces.

The Bill: House Bill 4163The 25-12 vote, a major development in efforts to enact a smoking ban in the state, came after a Democratic senator asked to discharge legislation from a committee where bills traditionally have gone to die. Republicans who control the chamber allowed the request.The bill passed the Democratic-led House in December. But it had been opposed by Senate leaders, who said it would put unnecessary government restrictions on private establishments.Health groups say secondhand smoke is harmful to workers and patrons in bars and restaurants.Unlike the House version, the Senate version makes no special exceptions for casinos, bingo halls and other buildings.

 

The ball is back in the House's court, which will decide whether to accept a full ban or try to carve out exemptions. Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm has said she will sign a smoking ban.Sixteen Democrats and nine Republicans voted for the bill. Eleven Republicans and one Democrat voted against it.Republicans control the Senate 21-17. One Republican was absent and didn't vote.

 

More than 30 states ban smoking in public or workplaces, according to supporters. Some bans don't apply to restaurants and bars, though, or they make exceptions in casinos and other buildings.The Michigan Restaurant Association and Michigan Licensed Beverage Association opposed the legislation, arguing that going smoke-free should be a market-driven business choice by individual bars and restaurants. But the American Cancer Society and other health groups cited a U.S. surgeon general report that breathing any amount of secondhand smoke harms nonsmokers."It's not about the public's choices. It's about protecting the public's health," said Sen. Raymond Basham, a Taylor Democrat and a longtime proponent of the smoking ban. He said bartenders, waitresses and other workers need protections against smoke.Some Republicans who voted for the legislation said their positions evolved as they saw more evidence from the surgeon general and others related to hazards of secondhand smoke.

 

But Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, who allowed a vote despite personally opposing the bill, called it a "blatant overreach" of government into private affairs."When will it stop? How much control do you want?" he said. "And when will people have to stop thinking for themselves entirely?"