House Approves Michigan Smoking Ban; Senate Fight Looms

The Michigan House of Representatives voted in favor of legislation that would ban smoking in bars and restaurants but allow smoking in casinos, cigar bars, and specialty smoke shops, the Detroit Free Press reported May 26.

The bill moved to the Senate, where a showdown is expected as legislators debate whether or not to allow smoking in Detroit’s three casinos. Last year, the state Senate voted in favor of a full smoking ban.

House Democrats voted down an amendment to the bill that would have taken away all exemptions to the ban. Senate Republicans still prefer a full ban, but might be open to compromise, said Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester).

Rep. Lee Gonzales (D-Flint) who sponsored the bill, said that even without the exceptions, the ban would still include almost all of the 19,000 bars and restaurants in Michigan.