Michigan restaurants - SMOKE FREE!

[Russ]

I am absolutely thrilled they passed this law. No more coming out of one of my favorite restaurants smelling like an ashtray! :gaah:

As of May 1st..

Smoking will be banned in all public places including workplaces, restaurants, and bars. This law even goes as far as to ban smoking on the patios of restaurants.

Read more here > Michigan Policy Network - Michigan Smoking Ban Exemptions and Enforcement

Did I mention I was thrilled?

[beks37]

They have similar laws in my city. The only differences is that they allow smoking on patios and if the restaurant wants a smoking section, it can either A) Not allow anyone under 18 in the restaurant at all or B) Have a separate room with it's own ventilation system that is a designated smoking section. It sure has been nice not having to smell like smoke or sit near someone smoking while eating at a restaurant.

[McD]

This was passed in Iowa last year--also include bars.

I really enjoy the smoke-free-ness of it all, but am concerned about the whole big-brother-ness of the government deciding what is best for the masses. But, that is a conversation best left for Iquarrel, our sister site, created specifically for debates.

[daughter of pearl]

We have it in Toronto in restaurants and bars. As a non-smoker, I spend a lot of time sitting and watching people's coats and purses while they "step outside for some air".

It makes me laugh in the winter when you see groups of smokers huddled in a freezing cold doorway, trying to get a fix!

[2ndGenGranola]

We have that here and it is wonderful.

[Jamielane]

I live in Michigan to and I am elated! My Mom smokes but no one else does in our family (well my brother does but very little, about a pack every two weeks) and we often have to sit in the smoking section to pacify her if we are in a resturant and it is such a treat for us to go to a sit down meal in a resturant it always ends up annoying me to come out of there smelling like an ashtray to. I cant wait for May 1st when it kicks in. Just in time for our Mothers Day lunch out

[Liane]

We have that in New Jersey too except for casinos and patio areas. My husband is in a band and when he has to take his drums in and out of bars people are smoking by the doors and my poor asmatic non-smoking hubby has to first ask people to please move and then wade through all of the smoke. Wish Pennslyvania would pass the law too.

[shp1055]

Lou-zee-ana has that law in restaurants also. Doesn't apply to bars or casinos.

[Mom2-3]

We have had a no smoking law for years here. I didn't realize you could still smoke in public places.

[frugalfoster]

Washington State passed this law several years ago. I own a styling salon in my town..I made it smoke free over 23 years ago. It was a revolutionary idea at the time. Some people loved it some people hated it...but we enforced it anyways! I have never regretted the decision..My mom died of lung cancer over 10 years ago...She was exposed to cigarette smoke not only because she smoked, but because she also was a hairstylist and breathed in second hand smoke for over 40 years.. If a person decides to smoke....that is their business...but to expose me to it...that's my business...I'm all for the regulation!!!

[frugalfranny]

Yep, and our bars are smokefree too and as of last summer, I think it was........one of our big parks was made smoke free - during big things that go on down there.

It is just a 'given' that everything is smoke free and it makes it very nice. Even my friends that smoke like it.