Just Another Stupid Ass Move by the Michigan Legislature

[michellebaines]

In another move designed to reduce the amount of money coming in to the local economy, the MI legislature has passed a ban on smoking in ALL public places (except the casino floors of course). This new law includes all bars and restaurants and goes into effect May 1, 2010.



<H1 id=page-title class="asset-name entry-title">Michigan Finally Passes Workplace Smoking Ban

By Tanya Roth on December 11, 2009 2:30 PM | No TrackBacks (http://blogs.findlaw.com/law_and_life/2009/12/michigan-finally-passes-workplace-smoking-ban.html#trackbacks)
</H1>This change, like so many others, has been a long time coming. After a decade of work by anti-smoking advocates, on December 10th, Michigan sent a bill banning smoking in most workplaces to Governor Jennifer Granholm for her signature (http://www.freep.com/article/20091210/NEWS06/91210040/1008/Senate-OKs-smoking-ban-for-restaurants-bars). Following in the timeworn footsteps of states like California, which placed a statewide ban on smoking in enclosed workplaces in 1995 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_smoking_bans_in_the_United_States), Michigan becomes the 38th state to ban smoking in public places and workplaces. According to the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation, as of October 2009, 71% of the U.S. population lives under a ban on smoking in "workplaces, and/or restaurants, and/or bars, by either a state, commonwealth, or local law (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_smoking_bans_in_the_United_States)."

This bill, actively opposed by restaurant and bar owners, will ban smoking in bars, restaurants and all other workplaces with one exception. Afraid of loosing gamblers to nearby Indian casinos, casino owners managed to push through an exemption to the smoking ban for the gaming floor of a casino. (http://www.freep.com/article/20091210/NEWS06/91210040/1008/Senate-OKs-smoking-ban-for-restaurants-bars) Rationally, smoking will still be banned in the nearby casino restaurant or bar. Indian casinos are not subject to the state law.
Although not perfect, the bill has pleased supporters. "We have heard the message from the people of Michigan," said Rep. Joan Bauer, D-Lansing, who cited numerous polls showing the Michigan public supporting a public smoking ban. (http://www.freep.com/article/20091210/NEWS06/91210040/1008/Senate-OKs-smoking-ban-for-restaurants-bars)
Smoking bans are most valuable to employees who, unlike patrons of bars and restaurants, don't have the choice to stay home. Said MEC President Chris Kolb, a former state representative who supported smoking bans introduced during his tenure: "Finally. This is a long overdue, common-sense protection for patrons and employees of Michigan's bars and restaurants." (http://www.freep.com/article/20091210/NEWS06/91210040/1008/Senate-OKs-smoking-ban-for-restaurants-bars)
There are still many states with no statewide ban on smoking such as Alaska, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, and Mississipp (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_smoking_bans_in_the_United_States)to name but a few.
Related Resources:

Public smoking ban heads to Granholm's desk (http://www.freep.com/article/20091210/NEWS06/91210040/1008/Senate-OKs-smoking-ban-for-restaurants-bars) (Free Press)
Law and Daily Life Blog: Caesars 2nd Hand Smoke Suit Dropped (http://blogs.findlaw.com/law_and_life/2009/12/ceasars-2nd-hand-smoke-employee-lawsuit-dropped.html) (FindLaw's Law & Daily Life)
Right to Work in a Smoke-Free Environment (http://employment.findlaw.com/employment/employment-employee-more-topics/employment-employee-health-safety-top/smoke-free-workplace.html) (FindLaw)
OSHA and Employee Workplace Rights (http://www.ellislaw.com/CM/FSDP/PracticeCenter/Personal-Injury/Construction-Accidents.asp?focus=topic&id=4) (provided by Ellis Law, P.C. (http://www.ellislaw.com/))
Employer Retaliation against the Workers' Compensation Claimant (http://www.mordhorstlaw.com/CM/FSDP/PracticeCenter/Personal-Injury/Workers-Compensation.asp?focus=topic&id=1) (provided by Robert A. Mordhorst, Esq., P.C. (http://www.mordhorstlaw.com/))


*I looked very hard before posting and hope I put this in the right place...if I didn't please move and feel free to publicly beat me about the head and shoulder region lol. Also sorry the whole thing is in bold, for some reason it wouldn't let me "unbold" not sure why but occasionally I can be computer-illiterate.

[Import]

Yeah, im in MN, and our restrictions are very similar. I try not to get too worked up though...I fuckin hated tobacco smoke in public places before I started smoking.
Job sites, I understand. But aren't we now just putting the comfort of the non-smokers before our rights as free-citizens?
Oh well, at least theres still a smoking room at my treatment.

EDIT: whoa, 200 posts! Im big time.

[Paregoric Kid]

why the hell aren't the tobacco industry and tobacco users and freedom advocates fighting these bans? the people and the rich tobacco companies have the power to stop this nonsense but instead anti-smoker crusaders spew pseudoscience and false promises to the legislatures and they fall for it and we just keep losing more freedom.

[danny]

we get this bullshit in england all the time, you cant even smoke in the fucking pub no more
cctv cameras every stinking place you go, its like 1984
got to jump thru hoops to even get a double barrel shotgun (no pump actions, rifles handguns etc) its not happening for me cause im a registered addict, despite the fact i been shooting since i was a kid
these strict gun laws were enacted because a sexually frustrated paedophile in scotland and an unbalanced rambo clone, neither of which should have been allowed anywhere near a firearm slaughtered in 2 separate occasions a lot of innocent people, including kids at a primary school
they were entirely politically motivated and merely served to frustrate legitimate shooters while making no difference whatsoever to people who wished to get guns on the black market
if i didnt have elderly parents i must admit id be thinking about moving abroad
to all you us opis, whether your left or right wing fight any impingements on your personal freedoms or youll end up like us over here unable to take a shit in peace

[jonsonville]

there are places in california where you cant even smoke OUTSIDE. downtown burbank is one of them. its fucking stupid and rediculous.

[paups]

I smoke a pack a day and LOVE my muthafuckin butts lol..when NYC passed the smoking ban in 2002 (?) (bars and restaurants/public INDOOR places) I griped with the rest but to be totally honest, I can now admit that I like the ban.. its easier to breathe when you are out.. the fresh air is nice, and coming home after a night out and not wanting to throw away your clothing and bleach your hair is a great feeling. Not to mention that it is healthier for all involved including the bartenders who would otherwise spend 10hr shifts in a thick cloud of second hand which does not feel good for anyone.. smoker or non..

That being said.. the push to extend this ban to OUTDOOR places has me at odds and pissed off. Its been brought up here in NY but nothing has passed so for now the only protest is only the dirty looks and exaggerated *coughing* *choking* *fanning* dirty looks from uptight pedestrians, most often parents with children. I want to say to them "are you kidding? you are so worried about me smoking a cigarette on the street corner near your child but you are not at all concerned with RAISING her in a city FULL of smog and pollution? There is more car exhaust in NYC than cig smoke.. get over yourself!"

yes it is a civil liberty issue but at the same time its a quality of life issue that if you really are honest with yourself is not that ridiculous (smoking INSIDE public places)

IDEALLY I wish there was an option for establishments.. that they could choose to be smoking or non.. there is a loophole in NYC that if the owner of the bar is also the sole worker they can allow smoking so there are a couple places to be found but overall I think even the most staunch freedom fighter will silently admit it feels better to keep it outside at the end of the night..although it is annoying when you are mid conversation and you dont want to disrupt to go out in the cold to smoke.. but AT THE SAME TIME this has created a new easy way to grab some alone time with a potential hookup.. you can escape outside for a little chat.. a shared rendezvous.. its added an extra play to the courtship game in some ways.. hehe :)

[Uncle Wiggly]

I smoke like a fiend and I'm actually glad to see this ban come around. I can't smoke inside where I work but there are many outside areas. I personally don't like to sit in a restaurant trying to eat while inhaling stale smoke. I even sit in the non-smoking section and it still bothers me.

At most hospitals there is already no smoking allowed anywhere on the grounds. I see that as a good thing also.

I guess they did make exceptions for casino floors. Got to keep those, so called, educational dollars rolling in. All-in-all I see it as a good thing. It certainly won''t hurt me to have a few less per day.

[Dhedmo]

I smoke a pack a day and LOVE my muthafuckin butts lol..when NYC passed the smoking ban in 2002 (?) (bars and restaurants/public INDOOR places) I griped with the rest but to be totally honest, I can now admit that I like the ban.. its easier to breathe when you are out.. the fresh air is nice, and coming home after a night out and not wanting to throw away your clothing and bleach your hair is a great feeling. Not to mention that it is healthier for all involved including the bartenders who would otherwise spend 10hr shifts in a thick cloud of second hand which does not feel good for anyone.. smoker or non..IDEALLY I wish there was an option for establishments.. that they could choose to be smoking or non.. there is a loophole in NYC that if the owner of the bar is also the sole worker they can allow smoking so there are a couple places to be found but overall I think even the most staunch freedom fighter will silently admit it feels better to keep it outside at the end of the night.

I smoke like a fiend and I'm actually glad to see this ban come around. I can't smoke inside where I work but there are many outside areas. I personally don't like to sit in a restaurant trying to eat while inhaling stale smoke. I even sit in the non-smoking section and it still bothers me.

^+1

I never understood the non-smoking section. Especially the booth justthis side of the line. LOL.

Sorry y'all...filthydisgustinghabit and all that shit but the bottom line is it ain't my smoke and I hate breathin it.

Import, I was surprised to learn MN was the first state to ban indoor smoking, in 1975. California banned smoking in restaurants and buildings in 1998 and what a difference. When I'm in Chicago and go to a bar first thing I smell the next morning is my smoky clothing across the room. That's foul.

I supported the ban but didn't realize what a huge difference it would make. It was awesome to be able to go out, have a few drinks and come home without smelling like an ashtray.

Most of my friends who smoke ultimately came to agree with the ban, especially in restaurants. Several don't smoke in their own homes or cars (but we're blessed with good weather).

OTOH, I have also noticed that I have fewer friends who smoke, or rather that smokers and nonsmokers maybe interact less than they did. I def know fewer, or hang out with fewer smokers than I did 20 years ago.

I'm glad it's not federally mandated, but state-by-state. I would support a tavern that allowed smoking, as long as the employees were good with it. Support it in principle, that is. I'd spend my money at the non-smoking joint next door.


O, there are a lot of smokers on the Phile, aren't there...uh-oh...

[TigerFan]

Uncle Wiggly - Yes, I'm with you on liking no smoking while eating and many other places - but to not be able to smoke in a bar is just crazy talk.

[upstate_007]

It's been so long here in NY that we could smoke inside I forgot what it was like. Going outside for a smoke is so routine now it doesn't phase me anymore. Hell, I even do it at home. Everyone bitched and moaned at first, but now it is business as usual and most people including smokers don't mind the law. At least I can go see a band play and come home not smelling like an ashtray.

I went to a club in the Caribbean last year where smoking was allowed. My clothing fucking reeked. I picked up my shirt and shorts and put them in a bag because they smelled so bad. I forgot how nasty things smell after a night out where smoking is allowed.

[jacky]

man, we should all go in and invest in an e smoke company, start pumping out cheap nicotine juices for all those electronic cigarettes, because soon, the only smoke your going to be allowed anywhere is e ciggy vap's

[Metrik]

shit i live in martinez in the east bay and they jus passed this retarded ass law that u cant smoke within 50 feet i think of the entrance to ne building besides ur own home. this really fucks everyone in the downtown area, where me and my friends like to jus hang out drink coffee smoke cigs and watch the local crazies. the fucked thing is that downtown most shops doors are closer to eachother than 100 feet so u really cant smoke ne where! and not that long ago i got a ticket for smoking in my car cause apparently its illegal to smoke in a car if there is a minor on board! why do they have to hate so hard on smokers? why cant non smokers harden the fuck up, and if someone is smoking next to u and its bothering u ask them to put it out or take a few steps away if it was me i would gladly do one or the other.

[Uncle Wiggly]

man, we should all go in and invest in an e smoke company, start pumping out cheap nicotine juices for all those electronic cigarettes, because soon, the only smoke your going to be allowed anywhere is e ciggy vap's

I read your thread about e-juice. The more I think about it the more it sounds like a very good investment. I think we may be looking at the future of nicotine abuse.

[Thanat0s]

man, we should all go in and invest in an e smoke company, start pumping out cheap nicotine juices for all those electronic cigarettes, because soon, the only smoke your going to be allowed anywhere is e ciggy vap's
vm me, i may be 'down'
betel, etc...

[OpiateQueen]

yes Australia is BIG on these laws... i don't smoke anymore.....hardly, so i don't really notice it much, except for when its outdoors - people do give others smoking outdoors dirty looks. its really non kosher now..

You can't smoke ANYWHERE near hospitals. inside or out, which includes ther drug detox unit, which used to have a whole outdoor courtyard, where naturally all the 'inmates' spent the entire time smoking... i think its really stupid they have to all of a sudden go cold turkey....really stupid.

Its been SOOOO long i can't even remember when smokiing in a restaraunt was allowed...
Not even in your own car! with or without kids in it - although i still see people do that.

We have outside bits at pubs which some have tables and stuff still...but just to sit and smoke - u can't order or anything..