Lawmakers propose smoking ban bills

Publication Date: 2008-04-01

• Publication:Monroe News

In Michigan there has been no lack of trying to ban smoking in public, in workplaces and in restaurants. Here's a rundown of the legislative attempts in the past year.

House Bill 4163/Senate Bills 109-110: Prohibit private workplace smoking

- Introduced on Jan. 30, 2007, in the Senate and the House to prohibit a business owner from allowing smoking in his or her establishment. This also would apply to bars and restaurants.

- Passed in the House 56-46 on Dec. 5, 2007. The bill would apply to all "public places." However, tobacco specialty shops, cigar bars, vehicles, the gaming floor of casinos, the non-food areas of race tracks and licensed bingo events would be exempt.

- House Bill received in the Senate on Dec. 11, 2007. No further action.

Senate Bill 514: Authorize tax breaks for restaurants that ban smoking

- Introduced on May 17, 2007.

House Bill 4971-4972: Impose $500 annual levy on bars choosing to allow smoking

- Introduced on June 21, 2007, to prohibit a bar owner from choosing to allow smoking in his or her establishment unless he or she pays an annual $500 fee.

House Bill 5635: Ban outdoor smoking on school property

- Introduced on Jan. 17, 2008, to eliminate an exemption to the public school smoking ban that allows smoking and the use of other tobacco products by adults on weekends or after school in outside areas, including stadiums.

House Bill 5418: Ban smoking in car with child

- Introduced on Nov. 7, 2007, to ban possessing a lit tobacco product in a motor vehicle with a child younger than 4.

House Bill 5074 and 4087/Senate Bill 472: Ban smoking in state college dorms

- Introduced in the House on Jan. 23, 2007, and again Aug. 1, 2007. Introduced in the Senate May 3, 2007.

Senate Bill 481: Establish $100 fine for smoking on the beach

- Introduced on May 8, 2007.