Senate passes smoking ban; casino floors but not restos exempt

**texorama** · December-10-09, 02:55 PM

http://freep.com/article/20091210/NE...staurants-bars

Assuming House passage, would take effect in May 2010.

Casinos are already grousing, but I wonder how many people would be persuaded to go to Canada or Toledo, where there's no smoking either, when all they had to do to smoke was step out to the slots for a second.

**Sarah** · December-10-09, 02:56 PM

Yipppeee!!!!!!!

**dtowncitylover** · December-10-09, 03:02 PM

Disappointed to say the least.

**Johnlodge** · December-10-09, 03:10 PM

As a happily ex-smoker, I am pretty apathetic, but I do think the decision should be left to the private business owners. Smoking is not illegal, so it should not be illegal to have an establishment in which smoking is permitted. Put a permit system in place like is used for alcohol, you can bring in more revenue for the cash-strapped state.

**Novine** · December-10-09, 03:16 PM

I'm sure the nicotine addicts of the state will be OK.

**Detroitnerd** · December-10-09, 03:20 PM

As a smoker, I'm a little peeved, but that's the way it goes.

Can we now ban these obnoxious things?

* People who douse themselves with musk cologne or flowery perfumes? Blech. These smells make me sick!

* People talking on cell phones in restaurants. Why should I be distracted from my dinner because they have to talk to somebody at their table?

**artds** · December-11-09, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by Johnlodge

Smoking is not illegal, so it should not be illegal to have an establishment in which smoking is permitted.

There is. They're called cigar bars and tobacco specialty stores.

**Johnlodge** · December-11-09, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by artds

There is. They're called cigar bars and tobacco specialty stores.

But if you serve alcohol there, it should be illegal?? What's the distinction being made? I say let them pay for permits, far less places will have smoking, and the state makes money to help the deficit. Win-win.

Bearinabox · December-11-09, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by artds

There is. They're called cigar bars and tobacco specialty stores.

Apparently existing cigar bars will be grandfathered in, but no new ones will be allowed to open. I don't smoke, don't object to other people smoking, and really couldn't care less about this ban one way or the other, but I'm not sure I get the point of clamping down on cigar bars and the like. Seems like anybody who had a problem with the smoke wouldn't be hanging out there in the first place.

**Sarah** · December-11-09, 02:53 PM

According to the Freep, outside patios are covered under the bill too.

**buzzman0077** · December-10-09, 03:16 PM

As a non-smoker this is awesome for me, no more stale smoke smell on my bar clothes. I would never vote for it myself because I believe it should be left to the owners to make those choices. I still benefit in the long run so yay.

Stosh · December-10-09, 03:18 PM

As an ex-smoker, I tnink that this is a great idea. I quit so I could stay relatively healthy, and to minimize further damage to my lungs.

**TKshreve** · December-10-09, 03:28 PM

This will help people quit smoking. Watch.

**Johnnny5** · December-10-09, 03:59 PM

So smokers in every other business, bar and restaurant in Michigan will have to leave the building to light up, while those in the casinos will simply have to stroll onto the gaming floor? I thought the entire point of this smoking ban was to prevent employee exposure to second hand smoke?. As I've said before I could not care less if the state passed a smoking ban, but to allow the casinos anymore of a unfair advantage is outrageous! I realize that Granholm does not have the guts to do it, but I hope she sends this one back unsigned.

**buildingsofdetroit** · December-10-09, 04:01 PM

I smoked when I lived in Manhattan. And there was a smoking ban.
I smoked when I lived in Tacoma, Wash. And they passed a smoking ban when I was there.
I smoked when I lived in Seattle. And there was a smoking ban.
I smoked when I lived in Columbus, Ohio. And there was a smoking ban.

For those who smoke now, it's not so bad. You will cut down on how much you smoke, at least while at the bar, which is always a good thing. Most bars went out of their way to add patios or smoking areas, so other than the bitter cold, it's not so bad. It really is a win-win for everyone - other than the wintry months like these.

**R8RBOB** · December-10-09, 04:13 PM

As an ex-smoker, I am pleased that the state could finally come up with a no-smoking ban, however, I am displeased that the legislature could bow to the cries and dollar bills that the casinos were shelling out. A no-smoking ban should apply to all including casinos and yet the casinos proved once more that "big bank" will always beat "little bank"

**Gistok** · December-10-09, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by R8RBOB

As an ex-smoker, I am pleased that the state could finally come up with a no-smoking ban, however, I am displeased that the legislature could bow to the cries and dollar bills that the casinos were shelling out. A no-smoking ban should apply to all including casinos and yet the casinos proved once more that "big bank" will always beat "little bank"

Since the cash strapped state and city would lose revenue to Indian casinos [[where state smoking laws don't apply, and where the state no longer gets a cut of gaming revenue)... it was a logical decision. Unless some folks would prefer a tax increase to coincide with the offset revenue of this law?

**R8RBOB** · December-10-09, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Gistok

Since the cash strapped state and city would lose revenue to Indian casinos [[where state smoking laws don't apply, and where the state no longer gets a cut of gaming revenue)... it was a logical decision. Unless some folks would prefer a tax increase to coincide with the offset revenue of this law?

See, this story about Indian casinos is a crock of shit. Here is a website that I found http://500nations.com/Michigan_Casinos.asp that list all the Indian casinos in Michigan. There is no Indian casino in Southeastern Michigan. [[Greektown Casino is considered an Indian-owned casino because it is owned currently by SSM Chippewas but is not on Indian land so they have to follow state and federal law)

Here is my point. You live in Detroit or Farmington or Washington Township or Oxford or Port Huron and you are going to drive to Battle Creek or Arenac or Isabella just because you can smoke in their establishment? I don't think so. It was a con job to continue allowing smoking in the Detroit casinos.

**Gistok** · December-10-09, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by R8RBOB

See, this story about Indian casinos is a crock of shit. Here is a website that I found http://500nations.com/Michigan_Casinos.asp that list all the Indian casinos in Michigan. There is no Indian casino in Southeastern Michigan. [[Greektown Casino is considered an Indian-owned casino because it is owned currently by SSM Chippewas but is not on Indian land so they have to follow state and federal law)

Here is my point. You live in Detroit or Farmington or Washington Township or Oxford or Port Huron and you are going to drive to Battle Creek or Arenac or Isabella just because you can smoke in their establishment? I don't think so. It was a con job to continue allowing smoking in the Detroit casinos.

I have several acquaintances who visit the Detroit Casinos, and also go to Mt. Pleasant quite regularly... they DON'T DRIVE... they take one of the cheap casino leased buses and then when they get there are reimbursed for the cost of the fare. They all smoke, and stopped going to Casino Windsor because of the smoking ban.

I was amazed at how many metro Detroiters [[mostly retirees) still go to Mt. Pleasant, regardless of the 3 Detroit casinos.

For people who have the time [[retirees)... they'll gladly take 2 1/2 hours to get there [[and then back) for the right comps and perks. And for some people allowing smoking is one of the perks.

I'm curious to know the statistics on how a smoking ban affected Casino Windsor's business.

Don't underestimate gamblers.... they're a picky crowd....

**ghettopalmetto** · December-10-09, 04:22 PM

Bar and restaurant employees, on average, smoke at far higher rates than the general population. Who is this ban protecting?

This isn't about health. If cigarettes smelled like chocolate or flowers, no one would give two shits. This legislation is because some people don't like the smell of cigarettes. No more, no less.

If you want to base this legislation on health concerns, then you have to also ban alcohol and processed foods, which impact the health of a lot more people than smoking does. While we're at it, let's ban motorized transportation so that fat fucks will have to walk places like they used to. Smoking is banned, but you're allowed to sit and get shitfaced before driving home. Yeah, that makes sense.

If people want to talk about "health", put the damned donut down and join me for a 10 mile run Saturday morning. Then we'll talk about "health".

**R8RBOB** · December-10-09, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by ghettopalmetto

Bar and restaurant employees, on average, smoke at far higher rates than the general population. Who is this ban protecting?

This isn't about health. If cigarettes smelled like chocolate or flowers, no one would give two shits. This legislation is because some people don't like the smell of cigarettes. No more, no less.

If you want to base this legislation on health concerns, then you have to also ban alcohol and processed foods, which impact the health of a lot more people than smoking does. While we're at it, let's ban motorized transportation so that fat fucks will have to walk places like they used to. Smoking is banned, but you're allowed to sit and get shitfaced before driving home. Yeah, that makes sense.

If people want to talk about "health", put the damned donut down and join me for a 10 mile run Saturday morning. Then we'll talk about "health".

ghetto,

You are correct in your post. This was not about protecting the employees. Though there are non-smokers working in bars and casinos, there are plenty of smokers working and they are bumming. At the strip bar I go to, all the waitresses and bartenders light up every chance they get. I used to make a joke that to get hired there you had to be a smoker. LOL

**Diehard** · December-10-09, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by ghettopalmetto

If you want to base this legislation on health concerns, then you have to also ban alcohol and processed foods, which impact the health of a lot more people than smoking does. ...If people want to talk about "health", put the damned donut down and join me for a 10 mile run Saturday morning. Then we'll talk about "health".

Wow, it took a whole 13 posts before a pissed-off smoker pulled out that stupid "but but but alcohol and fast food is bad for you too!!" red herring.

Smoking is banned, but you're allowed to sit and get shitfaced before driving home. Yeah, that makes sense.

Likewise with the amusing contention that drunk driving is perfectly legal.

By the way, calling it a "smoking ban" is inaccurate. This doesn't ban smoking, it just moves it outdoors where it belongs. The rest of the country is probably looking at us in amazement that it took this long. They survived. We will too.

**NoHeartAnthony** · December-10-09, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by ghettopalmetto

Bar and restaurant employees, on average, smoke at far higher rates than the general population. Who is this ban protecting?

This isn't about health. If cigarettes smelled like chocolate or flowers, no one would give two shits. This legislation is because some people don't like the smell of cigarettes. No more, no less.

If you want to base this legislation on health concerns, then you have to also ban alcohol and processed foods, which impact the health of a lot more people than smoking does. While we're at it, let's ban motorized transportation so that fat fucks will have to walk places like they used to. Smoking is banned, but you're allowed to sit and get shitfaced before driving home. Yeah, that makes sense.

If people want to talk about "health", put the damned donut down and join me for a 10 mile run Saturday morning. Then we'll talk about "health".

I probably ran 3000 miles total this year. Let's talk about health.

**iheartthed** · December-10-09, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by ghettopalmetto

Bar and restaurant employees, on average, smoke at far higher rates than the general population.

Completely irrelevant. That's like saying a higher percentage of Detroit residents commit crimes, so therefore, Detroit residents don't deserve police protection.

**reddog289** · December-10-09, 09:53 PM

As a smoker and former bar hopper, I thought that I would be madder then I am. Last visit to the bar ended me up in the doghouse So I stay home and use my bar in the basement. One Coney Island that I freqent went all smoking a while back, don't know how that works for them but they seem busy. Wonder how they will do after the ban?