From: Whipple, Deb (GOV)
Sent: Friday, December 18, 2009 5:09 PM
Subject: What the Governor is talking about today
What the Governor’s Talking about Today
Friday, December 18, 2009
 
Governor Signs Smoking Ban Legislation
 
This afternoon the governor signed legislation that will prohibit smoking in public places such as restaurants, bars and hotels, or any place that serves food or beverages.  The Ron M. Davis Law, named after the late chief medical officer of the Michigan Department of Public Health, takes effect May 1, 2010, and will make Michigan the 38th state to ban smoking in public places.
 
The governor signed the legislation during a ceremony inside the Michigan Brewing Company, a downtown Lansing restaurant.  State Senator Ray Basham (D-Taylor), a longtime advocate for the smoking ban, spoke briefly along with bill sponsor State Representative Lee Gonzales (D-Flint) and State Senator Ron Jelinek (R-Three Oaks).  She thanked all of the legislators present for the strong bipartisan support that the smoking ban received.
 
The governor noted that about 53,000 people die annually from second smoke, 2,500 of them in Michigan.
 
“For Michigan’s health, this was important for our future,” the governor said.  “Thank you to all of those who have been fighting for this for years.”
 
Key messages:
 
•  The governor has long supported a smoking ban, repeatedly calling for one in her State of the State addresses.
 
•  Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in Michigan.  Smoking-related illnesses in adults include heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lower respiratory illnesses and diabetes.  Children and adolescents exposed to secondhand smoke can develop asthma, ear infections, colds and pneumonia.
 
•  The new law allows exemptions for the gaming floors at the three Detroit casinos, but the other casino bars and eateries must be smoke-free, including the casinos’ restaurants and hotels.  Michigan’s 20 American-Indian casinos are not covered by state law.  Cigar bars, tobacco specialty shops, home offices, commercial trucks and motor vehicles are also exempt.
 
•  Individuals and business owners who violate the law will be subject to penalties of $100 for the first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses.
 
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