Michigan Smoking Ban: No More Smoking in Michigan Bars and Restaurants
Smoking Banned from Bars and Restaurants in Michigan by Law Starting May 1, 2010
I have never smoked in my life. And as a non smoker it really has never bothered me. I find that it seems like ex-smokers are the absolute worse about complaining when someone is smoking or that you smell like smoke. I have noticed that after a night at the bar my clothes do smell like smoke.
So starting May 1st 2010 you will no longer be allowed to light up. I guess you will have to go outside to smoke. So if you are having fun at a bar you will be banished to the outside if you need a smoke. Just like many of Michigan's work places. Now at work place after work place you can see the huddled masses of smokers on break trying to get in one more drag off that cigarette before they have to go to work. Shivering in the cold. That just makes smoking seem like such a fun habit LOL. But really so now you will be treated kinda like a second class citizen soon if you smoke.
When the law first went through at least the private clubs like the American Leagon posts, VFW halls, Moose lodges, etc. where all exempt. Oh but our fine governor fixed that. She made sure that even there in your private clubs you will no longer be able to smoke.
I just think it is funny when we have a unemployment rate of around 15 percent the only thing our fine governor can find to do is to pick on the smokers who by the way are taxed very heavily on their cigarettes. It seems like jobs should be the governor's, and our fine state legislators priority, but I guess not. They are much more worried I guess about all of you evil smokers. So prepare to put those cigarettes out. May 1st is coming quickly.
Just an ideal from a non smoker you could decide to boycott the restaurants and bars all together. Don't give them the satisfaction of your patronage. If they have a problem because you smoke then why do they need your money. Let them lose so much business that they will be the one's complaining to our state officials about the loss of business from this new law.
We all can start partying with friends at home. Watching movies on our big screens and sharing dinners at home. It will save you money in a tough economy and we can protest a bit also. After all it is your money that supports the businesses, and pays our Governor Jennifer Grandholm, and state officers salaries. So vote with your money and protest alittle. That is just my opinion. After all what is next? Will they tell us because you smoke, or because I am fat we have to pay more insurance or be denied it all together. When will this discrimination stop? What gives Michigan Legislator the right to tell you how to live your life? Aren't you as smokers getting tired yet of being pushed around?
But enough of my rambling after all it is truly the same to me one way or the other, because I don't smoke or am I bothered by smokers. So what do you have to say about this? And please feel free to comment no matter where you live because I am sure Michigan is not the only state who is doing this or looking at doing this.
Just a note I will add that even though it makes no difference to me, my dad is tickled pink. He is so absolutely happy that he will no longer have to put up with smoke filled bars at the American Legion. And funny enough he thinks that this law is gonna force all of you to quite smoking. So now you know how my dad feels, it is your turn to pipe up. Come on give us all a piece of your mind and don't hold back.
Please leave your comments, and please read everyones comments also. It should be very interesting to see what you all have to say about your choices being legislated away from you little by little forced by laws to huddle outside and smoke in the freezing cold. Sound out! Here is your chance to tell everyone what you think.
Published by Charles Johnson
Born in Sapulpa Oklahoma, raised with small town values, been married twice, currently divorced, I have 5 daughters, 5 grandkids. I spent 6 years in the Airforce. I have been writing for over 30 yrs. I hope... View profile
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27 Comments
Post a CommentTiffany, I think your "holier than thou" attitude stinks. Just because you don't smoke doesn't mean that people should be denied the right to do so. Having rights is a privilege which comes with the possibility of people making bad decisions, but when you prevent others from enjoying their freedoms, regardless of their nature, you set precedent and risk the potential of this happening to you, too. Please grow up.
To me there is no argument - the business owner should be able to make the decision as to whether smoking would be allowed on the premises. It is in fact their property, regardless of who frequents the place. If people don't want to patronize smoking-friendly establishments, they won't go and the owner won’t see those profits. The same goes for if the owner wants to offer a smoke-free environment in vice versa. But in these scenarios, the people, including the business owner, get to choose – NOT the government. The only thing this smoking ban shows us is that people, for various reasons, are willing to let a small number of people who hold office take their liberties away. But how do you prove this point to both elected officials who are happy to abuse their power and constituencies who don’t know any better/don’t care?
After reading this and listening to others talk about it in the bars ... I think that maybe the thinking is ... if you have a business and want more revenue , just allow the masses to smoke . Maybe they should allow people to smoke in the doctors offices again , hey , that would increase their business . Lets not forget about the stores .. if people would be allowed to smoke in THEM , then they would stay there longer and purchase more items ! How about those movie houses that use to allow smoking and had an ashtray on the back of each seat ... when did THAT right get taken away ? Where were all the protesters THEN ? I had a RIGHT to smoke in there , now I have to watch movies at home ! I use to love putting my cig out on the grocery store floor and puffing away while visiting my great aunt at the hospital ! Where were all you nah sayers then ? We have been losing our rights to smoke for YEARS ! I miss the good ol days , where you could smoke , swear like a sailor , and spit on the flo
I don't think your father is correct. This law will probably not make us quit smoking, but let's assume that it did. Where in the hell do non smokers think the goverment is going to make up the revenue they take in taxing our cigarettes? And, of course, it is going to impact bars. Why in the world would I go out to have a drink when I am not allowed to smoke? If I owned a bar, I would be sueing the goverment in general and Granholm in particular. What I was looking for when I tripped over your article is some imput on where one can protest this infringment on my rights.
I agree with Ann are rights are being taken away,we frist delt with sertain times we could smoke in resturants and that was fine but now it's stupid you should of left well enough alone.We compermised.How many more rights will the Goverment take away.I thought this was a free country.I would like to see the people in goverment and step in are shoesand live on what we all make and see how they like it and take away all the money they make and put it back in the deffaset then we would be so bad in a depression.Oh I could go on but I'll stop.Thank you
This is a terrible act against American Freedom! It should be up to the business owner on whether to make their establishment smoke-free or not.
I have already begun to boycott restaurants and bars to help fight against this tyranny. We need to unite as smokers and do this together! We can make a difference! If this does not change, I will be selling my home, quitting my decent job and moving to a place that does not restrict my freedoms - that's a difficult and sad thing to do, but we need to stop putting up with these wrongful laws!
I know many moderate smokers who can't wait for May 1 because those who smoke excessively are rude and inconsiderate. It's the people who can't go an hour without a cigarette and those who won't smoke in their own homes that sit by the hour and chain smoke ruining the art work, leather and walls of fine dining restaurants and bars who have ruined it for the occassional smoker.
I think it is nice for resteraunts but not bars, bowling alleys, bingo halls. That should be up to the establishment owner whether to allow smoking or not. The bingo hall I go to in Flint, has a smoking room for players and a non smoking room. This is just going to hurt the business owners. I'm a bowler of many years and I like to enjoy my cigarette while bowling. I know alot of bowlers that have said they will quit bowling due to this. Maybe the bowling alleys can have a non smoking league and a smoking league. I do NOT think it's fair that casinos in detroit get to stil have smoking.
Ok Lets SAY dumb! Get over! Im a non smoker for 7 months! Ok so You cant smoke any more lolololol.... Such a joke the bars had nothing to do with it! And last When you drink a beer your not killing anyone but yourself. Smoking stinks and kills others. But thats ok for you smokers because you have to have a cig! LOLOLOL Ok quit your the one that looks dumb. GO waste $7 on a pack of cigs, your the only one who looks ignorant! 11 years I smoked! People are so dumb. We are the 37 state to become smoke free. Get over it. Smoke in your car! You look so dumb....
Other states ecomony has survived this and Michigan will too. Why should I, a non-smoker, have to inhale second hand smoke, or smell like smoke when I leave a restaurant or club?
Counting down the days...