LANSING ? Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed into law Friday a landmark ban on smoking in most Michigan workplaces beginning May 1.
Granholm thanked bill sponsors and activists, including the wives of two now-dead crusaders for the effort, during a ceremony at the Michigan Brewing Company, a Lansing restaurant, to sign HB 4377 (PA 188).
“Thank you to all of you who have been fighting for this for many years,” Granholm said. “We’re making a statement about the future of Michigan.”
The bill is also important for protecting the health of workers, she said. “Especially in this economy, we want to make sure they’re working in a healthy environment,” she said.
The signing also saw praise from supporters.
“I think this is the greatest Christmas present we could give the state of Michigan,” said Sen. Ron Jelinek (R-Three Oaks), who had helped usher the measure through the Senate.
“Workers across the state are cheering as smoke-free air is finally a law in Michigan,” said Judy Stewart, CSA campaign manager and director of state government relations at the American Cancer Society. “After more than a decade fighting for the health of Michigan workers, protection is in place from secondhand smoke.”
Bill sponsor Rep. Lee Gonzales (D-Flint) said governmental action was needed to push the smoke-free movement forward.
Sen. Ray Basham (D-Taylor), a lead crusader for the package in the Legislature, hailed its enactment, but also lamented that it did not go far enough. “It’s a pleasure to be here and see that we’ve moved the ball down the court,” he said. “It’s good for about 99 percent of the workers in Michigan.”
The gaming floors of Detroit’s three casinos, cigar bars, specialty tobacco shops and home offices are exempt from the ban. Truckers also could smoke in their vehicles.
The bill was named in honor of Ron Davis, a former chief medical officer for the state and one of the first proponents of a smoking ban. “It’s such an honor to have you name this legislation after him,” said Nadine Davis, Davis’ wife.
“We’ve been profoundly moved by what this Legislature has done,” said Helen Reinhart, wife of former Medicaid Director Paul Reinhart, who died earlier this year of lung cancer potentially caused by second-hand smoke.
Under the bill, businesses would have to post “no smoking” signs and remove all ashtrays. Those still smoking in a workplace would face a $100 fine for a first violation and $500 for any subsequent violations.
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