This change, like so many others, has been a long time coming. After a decade of work by anti-smoking advocates, on December 10th, Michigan sent a bill banning smoking in most workplaces to Governor Jennifer Granholm for her signature. Following in the timeworn footsteps of states like California, which placed a statewide ban on smoking in enclosed workplaces in 1995, Michigan becomes the 38th state to ban smoking in public places and workplaces. According to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, as of October 2009, 71% of the U.S. population lives under a ban on smoking in “workplaces, and/or restaurants, and/or bars, by either a state, commonwealth, or local law.”

Although not perfect, the bill has pleased supporters. “We have heard the message from the people of Michigan,” said Rep. Joan Bauer, D-Lansing, who cited numerous polls showing the Michigan public supporting a public smoking ban.

Smoking bans are most valuable to employees who, unlike patrons of bars and restaurants, don’t have the choice to stay home. Said MEC President Chris Kolb, a former state representative who supported smoking bans introduced during his tenure: “Finally. This is a long overdue, common-sense protection for patrons and employees of Michigan’s bars and restaurants.”

There are still many states with no statewide ban on smoking such as Alaska, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, and Mississipp  to name  but a few.

Related Resources:

  • Public smoking ban heads to Granholm’s desk (Free Press)
  • Law and Daily Life Blog: Caesars 2nd Hand Smoke Suit Dropped (FindLaw’s Law & Daily Life)
  • Right to Work in a Smoke-Free Environment (FindLaw)
  • OSHA and Employee Workplace Rights (provided by Ellis Law, P.C.)
  • Employer Retaliation against the Workers’ Compensation Claimant (provided by Robert A. Mordhorst, Esq., P.C.)

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