LANSING – State Representative Richard Hammel (D-Mt. Morris Twp.) on Thursday praised a plan passed in the State House of Representatives that protects residents and workers by prohibiting smoking in virtually all indoor public places – including restaurants and bars.
"People should not have to put their health at risk by breathing in secondhand smoke in order to earn a living," said Hammel, who led the successful push for a ban on workplace smoking in Genesee County as chair of the County Board of Commissioners. "All Michigan workers deserve a safe, healthy working environment."
Hammel co-sponsored the plan, which was proposed by his colleague State Representative Brenda Clack (D-Flint). The House passed the plan Wednesday, and it now awaits action in the Senate.
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.
The plan prohibits smoking in places of employment and most public places, including bars and restaurants. Those who violate the law would be fined up to $100 for the first violation and up to $500 for any subsequent violations. The plan exempts certain cigar bars and tobacco specialty retail stores, casino game room floors, bingo halls and horse racing tracks. Some form of smoke-free law has been passed in 32 states.