The House Commerce Committee will hear testimony on a bill that would prohibit smoking in Michigan bars and restaurants.

 Similar bills proposed in the last seven years got just one hearing - in 2004 - and never received a vote when the Legislature was controlled by Republicans. But now Democrats lead the House, bringing hope to health groups and other supporters of a statewide smoking ban.

What do you think? Should smoking be banned or not?

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Ciboney97

I think it would be great in Michigan to have a No Smoking Ban in all Public Places...... We own a home in Michigan and in Arizona; We look forward to going out to eat in Arizona as there is No Smoking in Resturants or Bars. I have asthma and it is a pleasure to visit after dinner instead of  hurrying so we can breath....

Sounds great!  Maybe we can have the government ban all of the activities they don't approve of, in our homes too!  I'm all for having the government systematically take our rights away.  

The problem with sheep like you, is you don't believe the business owner has a right to run a business the way he/she wants to.  You believe it is the governments place to enact policies, that should be made by the businesses.  If a bar/restaurant has smoking...GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!

Simple isn't it?

Ban smoking in ALL public places??  Are smokers not part of the public anymore?  Only non-smokers should have an opinion, as to whether or not someone can smoke?  Last I recall, the government is making an enormous profit from the taxes brought in from cigarettes.  Why not just make it illegal altogether?  Because of taxes! 

I assume that you don't drink.  If you do, I want it banned, in all public places.  Hide behind your fence in the yard and sneak a beer.  If you're seen in public drinking any type of alcohol, you should jailed...or at the very least,  have your right to do so taken away.

Maybe you should stay in Arizona.

 

 

I think a smoking ban in restaurants would be great. I just got out of the military and moved from Washington State where they already have a ban on smoking. It was great to go to a restaurant with my infant daughter and not have to worry about her breathing in secondhand smoke. We rarely go out to eat since we've moved back to Michigan because of smoking sections in restaurants. I'm not sure who said it but, "A 'No Smoking Section' in a restaurant is like having a 'No Peeing Section' in a pool!" 

Bars on the other hand don't bother me as much. If the establishment is just a bar, only adults are the patrons. There is no risk of exposing a child to secondhand smoke in a bar.

So Ban smoking in restaurants, but not in bars.

I'm so glad that Michigan is finally catching up with the rest of the nation on this issue. We've had such a negative health image in the past, I think this is a step in the right direction.  Aside from the obvious health reasons, I hope that this goes through because I can't wait to go out for an evening and not return home with my clothing and hair smelling of smoke.  It will be great in the winter - but my dry cleaner will miss my frequent visits!

 

Smoker have rights too. Let the non smokers play a tax equal to a smokers then let the owners decide. I won't go out anymore if they ban all smoking.

I agree with your sarcasim.  What are people thinking of?  We are suppose to be a free country?  Have they not had American Goverenment in High school.  Hope the Goverenment takes away some of the things they like to do. Bars owners pay taxes and it's their owned establishment. If the sign is posted a smoking establishment they have a choice not to enter just like a smoker has a right to smoke!  When will the goverenment stop controling the people.  I work at a local hospital and starting July 1st you can even smoke outside.  When will people have enough?  Wake up america.  We all have rights too.  These people who voted to ban these thing will be up in arms one day when the goverenment bans drinking.  Then they will be siding with us. Hipoocrits!  Goverenment needs to mind their own business!

WHY HASN'T THE STATE OF MICHIGAN LEARNED A LESSON FROM WINSOR?

THEY PUT IN THE SMOKING BAN, AND ALL THE CUSTOMERS LEFT THE CASINO!

I THINK THE STATE OF MICHIGAN IS ALREADY IN TROUBLE AND TO BAN SMOKING, THEY WOULD BE LOSING ALL THOSE TAX DOLLARS FROM GAMBING NOT TO MENTION PEOPLE KICKING THE HABIT AND THE TAXES FROM FROM TABACCO WOULD BE GONE TOO.

THE STATE OF OHIO HAS DONE THIS AND FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAVE MADE A MISTAKE. THEY ARE TRYING TO TURN IT AROUND BECAUSE OF ALL THE LIQUER TAXES THEY HAVE LOST BECAUSE OF ALL THE BARS THAT HAD TO CLOSE.

NO TO THE BAN!!!

B. WELLS

DEARBORN

I definitely believe it should be banned in restaurants.  In fact I have started into a few and walked back out due to the smoke smell.  We usually go to a restaurant near where we live that is a smoke-free restaurant.  As far as bars I don't have a problem with smoking in there because to me it is a different atmosphere and kids aren't allowed.  Actually drinking isn't good for a person either so if they want to drink they can smoke if they choose.   I am an ex-smoker (I know, we are a pain) and cigarette smoke really smells foul to me now.

I support this measure 100%.   Michigan is long overdue, as 13 other states have already banned smoking in public places.  

I think the comments made above by poster r1100rt are somewhat shortsighted.   If two people are in a room together, and one is drinking alcohol, the other person does not have their health affected.   If two people are in a room together, and one is smoking, that person puts the health of ALL people in the room at risk.

A non-smoker should be able to go to the bar and have a drink, just as much as a smoker should be able to.   However, the smoker does not have the right to put other people's health at risk.

The states that have already banned smoking have seen an INCREASE in customers going out to local restaurants and bars.   No one has lost business because of a smoking ban.   I was recently in New York, and loved being able to enjoy a drink in a bar without the smoke filled rooms.

I hope the Legislature takes this matter seriously, and allows this ban on smoking to occur.

Banning smoking in restaurants is fine with me - I don't like smelling or breathing in smoke while I'm eating.  Banning it in bars is another thing - most of the people leaving a bar are going to drive home drunk which is a danger to everyone ... just like the second hand smoke.   

Absolutely! There is no reason why non-smokers should suffer for the bad habit of the smokers. Many people are allergic, it smells bad and everyone's health is at risk. Non-smoking sections in establishments are a joke unless they have a great ventilation system.

I'm tired of this government!  There are more important issues that needs to be addressed. How about lowering the gas prices, taxes, etc.?   Enough is enough. Michigan's economy is in the trash. Work on that as opposed to something as ridiculous as banning smoking in bars and restaurants.  If a bar or restaurant chooses to be non-smoking, that is THEIR choice. It should be kept as such. Leave the "banning" of something up to the establishments. Move on!  

The last time I looked smoking was not illegal! Tobacco is just another government thing. Everyone knows it’s bad for your health but the tax revenue is too good to let go. If tobacco was banned for sale due to it being illegal I would have no problem with it, however it is just as legal as drinking and eating.

BTW I was a smoker and I quit about 25 years ago as if that matters.

I agree with R1100RT...Why not make smoking illegal.  We are becoming a police country.  This is all due to all the LAW SUITS and the 12 PEERS(and I use that loosely) that give out money that they don't realize they will be paying for in the long run.  Let's see now.  FREEDOM.  Airports man-handle all your personals, Limited smoking areas, Drinking is a no-no, etc.  Has anyone sued a restuarant for serving them too much food that caused them to become OBESE?  Don't even get me started on prisons and politics. FREEDOM IS OBSOLETE.