Starting May 1 it will be ‘lights out? at many local businesses, due to the statewide smoking ban.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed the ban into law Dec. 18, 2009, which makes it illegal to light up in restaurants, bars, theaters or any other public place’with the exception of cigar bars, tobacco specialty stores and casino gaming floors.
Rich Vogt, a regular customer and smoker at Hamlin Pub said the ban ‘was coming sooner or later.?
‘I could certainly go with not smoking as much,? he said. ‘It made me upset at first, but I think it will be a good deal for everyone.?
Karen Kubicki, owner of Hamlin Pub said she is looking forward to the ban and feels it gives a ‘fair and even playing field.?
‘I hope it increases business,? she said. ‘I think a lot of people stay away from bars because of the smoky atmosphere.?
Curt Catallo agreed if it’s a universal ban he doesn’t see a problem.
‘If someone figures out a loophole or decides to not enforce it, then I think it’s going to be problematic,? said the owner of both the Woodshop and the Union. ‘I just want to make sure nobody else has an unfair advantage because it’s hard to be a restaurant on Main Street and go against the big chains when you can’t give away anything to them.?
Catallo said both of his establishments are split down the middle in terms of smokers and nonsmokers.
‘Even with our good smoke ventilation systems, it’s going to be nice to go home and not put your sweater outside,? he noted. ‘We’ve had so many servers who have worked late into their pregnancies. I’m glad they can do that again and not worry about it.?
The state Senate approved the bill 24-13, followed by a 75-30 House vote? With passage of the new law Michigan joins 36 other states with laws against smoking; some states have similar statewide bans while others opted for partial anti-smoking laws.
‘I don’t give a crap,? said regular smoker Sean Redenz. ‘It’s going to be like Chicago and Manhattan.?
Vicki Alonzi Guest said on the Clarkston News Facebook site what a ‘happy day? it will be and she can’t wait.
‘I quit smoking 24 yrs ago,? Guest said. ‘Best thing I could have ever done for myself and my children.?
Fellow Facebooker Sheryl Buttrey Miller agreed.
‘I think it’s great,? she said. ‘I can’t wait to not smell like an ashtray when I go to a restaurant/bar.?
However, Supervisor Dave Wagner who quit smoking 35 years ago said he struggles with it because ‘it’s one more right that’s been taken away? and believes policing it will be a problem.
‘It’s the same thing with alcohol we tried to ban alcohol years ago, it didn’t work. The health problems with over consumption is huge, maybe we should ban that or just like with eating, maybe all restaurants should only serve 200 calories with any meal they bring out because of obesity. Where do you go with this,? Wagner asked. ‘I just have mixed emotions on it.?
Treasurer Curt Carson said he is against ‘making a law to tell businesses what they can and cannot do.?
‘If the business owner wants to allow smoking,? said Carson. ‘I as nonsmoker have the right to decide as to whether I’m going to go into that business or not.?
‘It might change the complexion of business a little, but if everybody has to play by the rules,? Catallo said. ‘I think after awhile it will equalize, like other cities it didn’t affect business in the long run.?