The following is a statement by Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids:
The Michigan Legislature today delivered a historic victory for health and the public's right to breathe clean air by passing legislation to make almost all workplaces, including all restaurants and bars, smoke-free. Gov. Jennifer Granholm has said she will sign the bill, which will make Michigan the 27th state to pass a strong smoke-free law that includes all restaurants and bars. This legislation is a huge step forward for Michigan's health that will protect workers and the public from the serious health hazards of secondhand smoke.
We applaud the leadership and persistence of the many individuals and organizations that have fought the long battle to make Michigan smoke-free. It is a fitting tribute that the bill is named after the late Ron Davis, M.D., a tobacco control leader nationally and in Michigan and past president of the American Medical Association. It is, however, disappointing that the legislation includes an exemption for the gaming floors of existing casinos. Casino workers deserve the same protection from secondhand smoke as other workers. No one should have to put their health at risk in order to earn a paycheck or enjoy a night out.
The Michigan legislation, which takes effect May 1, 2010, adds to the growing momentum across the country and around the world to protect everyone's right to breathe smoke-free air. Once the Michigan law and all other state and local laws have been implemented, 62 percent of Americans will be protected by strong smoke-free laws that include restaurants and bars.
Smoke-Free States and Countries
Michigan joins 26 other states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico in enacting smoke-free laws that covers restaurants and bars. The other states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina (effective Jan. 2, 2010), Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin (effective July 5, 2010). South Dakota has also enacted such a law, but it is on hold pending a voter referendum in November 2010.
A growing number of countries have also passed strong smoke-free laws, including Bhutan, Chad, Colombia, Djibouti, Guatemala, Guinea, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Turkey, Tuvalu, the United Kingdom, Uruguay and Zambia. All Canadian provinces/territories and Australian states/territories have also enacted such laws.
Background on Secondhand Smoke and Smoke-Free Laws