Jan 28, 2009

Basham introduces Senate version of workplace smoking ban


LANSING – The fight for healthy air began in the Senate with the introduction of Senate Bill 114 in the Senate today that bans smoking in workplaces, including bars and restaurants.

The bill was, as anticipated, was introduced by Sen. Ray Basham, D-Taylor. The bill has bipartisan support, and its co-sponsors include Democratic Senators Gilda Jacobs, Liz Brater, Michael Switalski and John Gleason. It also includes Republican Senators Bruce Patterson, Patricia Birkholz, Cameron Brown and Tom George, a medial doctor.

One reason the bill was derailed last session was because Detroit area House members declined to support a bill that did not include an exception for casinos that passed out of the Senate because they were under the mistaken belief that the ban would hurt business and cost jobs to the Detroit casinos. But the fact is study after study from the 34 states that have such a ban demonstrated that there is no drop-off in business, and in many cases business improves.

In that vain, the bill's co-sponsors also includes Detroit area Senators Hansen Clarke, Martha Scott and Tupac Hunter.

Rep. Paul Scott, R-Grand Blanc, introduced the House version, House Bill 4099, last week.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Switching to electronic cigarettes will allow people to smoke anywhere they want, because there's no tobacco, or ignition of tobacco, and no second-hand smoke. You get the nicotine, but without the 4000+ harmful chemicals that are in regular cigarettes! I can actually breathe now. e-Cigarettes have helped save my money and my health (not to mention the health of those around me!)

I found this blog that helped me figure out which brand of e-cigarette I should buy. If you're considering switching over, I hope this page helps you like it helped me:

http://greensmokes.blogspot.com

And here are some videos with information about how e-cigs work:

http://www.youtube.com/healthysmokes