Smoke 'em if you've got 'em

Smoking is to soon be banned in Michigan's bars, restaurants, casinos and workplaces, so I suppose the message with this headline is "go nuts while you still can". Or "good riddance to bad rubbish". Either way...

Niet Roken

It's the first sign I saw a few years back when I arrived at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. Literally translated: Do not smoke.

That sign - no smoking - will soon hang over Michigan's bars, restaurants, workplaces, casinos, etc. after the Senate finally agreed to a state-wide business smoking ban. Gov. Jennifer Granholm has said she would sign the legislation once it gets to her desk.

I know long-time reader Kevin will be ecstatic at the news, as he's been on this horse for years.

By the way, local Reps. Joan Bauer and Mark Meadows were on this bill from the start. So praise or curse them, depending on which way you swing on this.

Comments

[Mike]

I wouldn't bet (sorry about the pun) on the casino smoking-ban inclusion yet.

The Detroit casinos were exempted to ensure House passage the first time the House voted. I suspect the Detroit Democratic caucus will have a problem with the Senate' sudden move.

[Jim Livingston]

I am a non smoker and I hate the smell of smoke on my clothes when I leave a restaurant or bar but it is my choice to go to these establishments. Remember that there are private business owners who are going to be adversely effected with this legislation. If a person feels strongly about inhaling second hand smoke, they should make the choice not to patronize these places. Let the market drive the owners to make the decision. I thought we lived in a free country, where we were all able to make decisions for ourselves. Michigan is becoming very socialistic and this scares me very much. We need people in the capitol who believe in the free market system as well as liberty.

By the way, the Casinio's on the indian reservations around the state will not be required to adhere to the law since they are considered a soveriegn nation. This will absolutely kill any competing restaurants and bars near these reservations.