Is it right for Michigan to pass the smoking ban at all?”
Michigan has moved one step closer to having a statewide, workplace smoking ban with the news that a leading Republican lawmaker has the votes to approve such a bill, the Detroit News reports. The bill would exempt Detroit casinos, cigar bars and tobacco stores from the smoking ban. State Senate Appropriations chairman Ron Jelinek said the Senate would discuss the smoking bill this week with his proposed amendment that would let people smoke in the city’s casinos, cigar bars and smoke shops. The amendment prohibits smoking in casino hotels and restaurants, but permits it on the casino floor. “Yes, I think we can get the votes,” said Jelinek, who also pointed out that the legislation should pass the House, too. House Speaker Andy Dillon said that the smoking ban legislation is one of his top three legislative items to complete before the holiday recess begins Dec. 17. However, the bill has its detractors. The Michigan Licensed Beverage Association is against a smoking ban, but if one pa
Mich. lawmakers pass smoking ban; casinos exempt By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN (AP) – 1 hour ago LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Legislature passed a long-delayed smoking ban Thursday, with exceptions for three Detroit casinos that have to compete with tribal casinos not affected by the ban. The Democrat-led House agreed Thursday afternoon to slight changes made by the Republican-led Senate earlier in the day. The bill now goes to Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who has said she’ll sign it. The ban would take effect in May 2010. It applies to all bars, restaurants and work places, except for the Detroit casinos, cigar bars, tobacco specialty stores, home offices and motor vehicles. The Senate approved a ban with no exceptions last year, but that bill failed in the House, which wanted the exceptions for the Detroit casinos. The House in May passed the bill adopted Thursday by the Senate. With Granholm’s signature, Michigan would become the 38th state to limit smoking in public places such as
