Two-thirds of Michigan voters favor a smoking ban in all workplaces

A recent poll by EPIC-MRA of Lansing shows that two-thirds of Michigan voters favor a smoking ban in all workplaces, including Detroit’s casinos.

The poll was commissioned by the Campaign for Smokefree Air, and it was conducted on March 19-22 by EPIC-MRA of Lansing. It polled 600 registered voters, and 66 percent favored a workplace smoking ban.

The results of the poll comes just days before the House Regulatory Reform Committee is expected to vote out a bill to the full House floor. Committee Chair Rep. Bert Johnson, D-Detroit, said he wants to report a bill out before the Legislature goes on its two-week Spring break, and Thursday is the last day before the break.

The workplace smoking ban passed both the House and Senate last session, but the differences in the two bills killed the ban. The House version exempted Detroit casinos and so-called “cigar bars.” The Senate passed a clean version with no exceptions.

The Regulatory Reform Committee will meet at noon Wednesday, April 1 in room 326 in the House Office Building at 124 N. Capitol in Lansing to report out a smoking ban bill. The hearing is open to the public.