LANSING – In an effort to protect Michigan residents from the negative impact of secondhand smoke, State Representative Gary McDowell (D-Rudyard) on Tuesday voted in favor of legislation to make Michigan the 37th state to ban smoking in most indoor places, including bars and restaurants. The plan passed 73-31, and now heads to the Senate for approval.
"A person can choose to harm their own body, but no one should have to tolerate an activity that puts their health at risk," McDowell said. "This plan protects Michigan's workers and their families from the preventable danger of secondhand smoke."
Secondhand smoke is classified as a Group A carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause or exacerbate a wide range of health problems, including cancer, respiratory infections, and asthma, according to the American Lung Association (ALA).
The ALA reports that secondhand smoke causes approximately 3,400 lung cancer deaths and 46,000 heart disease deaths in adult nonsmokers in the United States each year, and that nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke at work are at increased risk for health problems.
Secondhand smoke is especially harmful to children, the ALA reports. It is responsible for up to 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections in kids under 18 months of age, resulting in up to 15,000 hospitalizations a year. It causes 430 sudden infant death syndrome deaths in the U.S. annually, the ALA reports. In addition, new evidence links increases in the number of asthma cases in children to secondhand smoke exposure.
Thirty-six states have passed laws prohibiting smoking in almost all public places and workplaces. The plan passed Tuesday exempts certain cigar bars and tobacco specialty retail stores because those businesses feature smoking as the primary source of their commerce. The plan also exempts casinos, which would face competitive disadvantages with tribal casinos that would threaten their viability.
"Banning smoking in restaurants and bars will drastically reduce the amount of smoke that Michigan's workers and residents, especially children, are exposed to," McDowell said. "Thirty-six states already have passed this legislation, it only makes sense that Michigan takes this step to protect the health of our residents."