Michigan - will be 38th state to ban smoking in public areas..

December 13, 2009 - On December 10th the Michigan Senate had approved (23-13) a smoking ban for restaurants, bars and all other workplaces. The House soon afterward voted 75-30 to concur with the Senate version, with some House members applauding as the tally was announced.

Now the bill has been sent to Governor Jennifer Granholm for signing a bill to ban smoking in bars, restaurants and all other workplaces, but allow smoking on the gaming floors of Detroit's three casinos. Granholm called the move a "terrific gift to Michigan."

The smoking ban would take effect May 1,2010 making Michigan the 38th state with some form of state ban on smoking in public areas.

The long-awaited smoking ban makes exceptions for the gaming floors at the three Detroit casinos, cigar bars, specialty tobacco shops, home offices and motor vehicles, including commercial trucks. The legislation won overwhelming passage in both chambers after more than a year of haggling over whether there should be exemptions.

Smoking will be banned in workplaces and food service establishments, including bars, restaurants, food courts at shopping malls, cafeterias and private clubs.

Violators face fines of $100 for a first offense and $500 for subsequent ones.

References: Public smoking ban heads to Granholm's desk by CHRIS CHRISTOFF, Detroit Free Press Lansing Bureau, 12/10/2009; Michigan approves smoking ban Gov expected to sign bill; Detroit casinos, cigar bars exempt, Mark Hornbeck (mhornbeck@detnews.com) and Christine Macdonald, Darren A. Nichols contributed, The Detroit News, 12/11/2009.

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