Senate OKs smoking ban in bars and restaurants

Fri, May 9, 2008    to del.icio.us

Four months after Ottawa County's workplace smoking ban went into affect, the Michigan Legislature is poised to ditch even more ashtrays.

The Michigan Senate on Thursday voted 25-12 in favor of a bill that would ban smoking in bars and restaurants.

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The bill now returns to the House, which has been waiting since December for the Senate to act. The House could send the bill as early as next week to Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who backs the smoking prohibition in part because it could have a positive influence on youngsters.

Marcia Knol, Ottawa County Health Department tobacco prevention educator, found out about the Senate's vote on her last day on the job before taking another Health Department post.

"This could not have been a better finish for my tobacco prevention career," Knol said. "I've been rolling around on the floor kicking and screaming, almost crying. I'm just so excited."

Almost 80 percent of the county's close to 400 restaurants and bars are already smoke free, Knol said, but the real winners are the employees.

"I'm very, very happy for the people who work in the bars and restaurants," she said. "They're often young and uninsured and often affected more than anyone else."

Michigan may soon join the more than 30 other states that have outlawed smoking. Studies have shown teenagers are less likely to take up smoking in communities with bans.

Sixteen Senate Democrats and nine Republicans voted for the bill. Sen. Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland, voted against it.

"The industry, whether it's restaurants or businesses in general, (is) coming to the conclusion on their own that smoking is bad for your health ... and they're making that determination for health care and costs reasons," Kuipers said. "I don't think it's the state's place to get involved."

County Commissioner Jim Holtvluwer voted against the countywide workplace smoking ban, which passed 7-3 last August.

"I have a problem with us as a county legislating what people can do in their private businesses," he said. "If the state wants to do it, it's the state's problem."

Opinions were mixed at Tri-Cities area bars Thursday evening. Patrons of Stan's Bar in Spring Lake didn't like the idea.

"I have a lot of issues about it," said Lisa Mulcahy, a smoker from Grand Haven. "It's really frustrating — it makes me want to light up right here.

"The bar is the only place you can come to smoke anymore," she added. "It's where people come to have a beer and a cigarette."

A few barstools down, Amy McGreavy of Spring Lake and her friend, Sheri Samford of Lansing, didn't agree.

"I don't enjoy being around smokers," McGreavy said. "It's unhealthy — there's too many unhealthy people in Michigan already."

"Let's do it," Samford added. "If you can ban smoking in Vegas, you can do it here."

Sitting at the Theater Bar in Grand Haven, Ferrysburg Mayor Jeff Stille said he understands why lawmakers are moving toward the ban, especially at establishments that serve food.

"I support it as an ex-smoker," Stille said. "When it comes to the food service industry, I think it's even more important."

Kurt Grumm, a bartender at Stan's, said he doesn't think it will affect business.

"People come out to socialize," Grumm said. "Is anyone going to sit at home while their friends are out socializing because they can't have a smoke? They'll come in to have a beer and socialize. I think it's going to help."

The Associated Press and The Holland Sentinel contributed to this report.