Through the smoke
A smoky seven months later and the state of Michigan still hasn't passed a statewide smoking ban.
All the bill is waiting on is approval from the state House and a signature from Gov. Jennifer
Granholm.
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont and Washington all have successfully passed full smoking bans.
The state of Michigan should follow suit and pass the same legislation.
On Nov. 7, 2006, Ohio voters passed a smoking ban that created Ohio's indoor smoking ban. It was made effective Dec. 7, 2006.
The proposed smoking ban, which was approved by the Michigan Senate, states "An individual shall not smoke in a public place or at a meeting of a public body."
According to the bill, a state or local government agency or owner of the place must post signs that state 'no smoking.' In addition, any smoking paraphernalia, such as ashtrays, would not be permitted. Anyone who violated the ban would be subject to a civil fine of not more than $100 for the first violation or not more than $500 for a subsequent violation.
Since 22 other states successfully passed the ban, there is no reason Michigan should not do the same.
Yes, some can argue that revenue may be lost if smokers are not permitted to smoke inside. But in actuality, it could increase revenue. Maybe more customers would flock to bars, casinos and restaurants now that their clothes won't smell like smoke nor their lungs be filled with it.
Second-hand smoke has commonly been called the "silent killer." It doesn't make sense that the state would not approve eliminating this silent killer from public places.
It has not been documented that any other states that passed the ban had lost revenue, so why are business owners so against it? They and their workers are the ones most affected by second-hand smoke, so they shouldn't be against the ban.
The state should pass the ban if only to improve conditions at public places.
