Supreme Court Upholds Regional Smoking Ban

Publication Date: 2009-07-22

• Author:Rick Pluta
• Publication:NPR

The state Supreme Court has upheld a regional ban on smoking in offices, shops, and factories.

The ban covers Emmet, Antrim, and Otsego counties in northwest Michigan. The court rejected a claim the ordinance violates employers' rights to run their businesses.

Two dozen Michigan cities and counties also have limits on workplace smoking.

Emily Palsrok is with the Michigan Campaign for Smoke-Free Air. She says the decision is encouraging. But Palsrok says local governments cannot ban smoking in bars and restaurants. She says that's why a state law is needed.

"Because it can't include bars and restaurants. It can't include everywhere. We want to see everywhere. We want to see all workers protected, no disparities upon their different workplaces," says Palsrock.