BENZONIA -- That indoor cigarette break at the office could be on its way out in two area counties if a local health department succeeds at establishing countywide workplace smoking bans.
The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department is calling for bans in both counties as a way to eliminate employees' -- and customers' -- exposure to harmful secondhand smoke.
A public hearing is scheduled for March 26, and the proposal would need to be approved by both the Board of Health and both counties' Board of Commissioners.
The bans would exclude restaurants and bars because they are licensed by the state, and could exclude home businesses, especially if run by one person.
"It's an indoor air issue," said Bill Crawford, a health officer with the department, adding that the proposal would not forbid businesses from designating outdoor smoking areas. "Our belief is that we have a responsibility to make workplaces as healthy as reasonably possible."
Most local businesses already ban smoking while on the clock.
Surveys were taken of Leelanau and Benzie county businesses in 2006 and 2008, respectively, to determine how many disallowed smoking.
Of the 160 businesses surveyed in Leelanau County, 154 were smoke-free, a rate of 96 percent, the study showed. In Benzie County, 65 percent of businesses, or 39 of 60 surveyed, were smokeless.
The response rates were 29 percent and 18 percent, respectively.
"We were pretty happy with that," said Lisa Danto, coordinator of the Traverse Bay Area Tobacco Coalition, which conducted the survey. "Because the state hasn't moved yet, we haven't felt we had a choice but to move ahead."
There isn't a "no smoking" sign in Taghon's Garage in Empire, but the business is "basically smoke-free," owner Dennis Taghon said.
About twice a year, customers will enter the waiting room with a cigarette, but Taghon said he has never asked them to leave. That said, a ban wouldn't bother him.
"That would just make the rules loud and clear for everybody," he said, adding that his technicians don't light up on the job. "Most people respect the fact that nobody wants to breathe in the smoke."
Tim Barr, who owns Art's Tavern in Glen Arbor, would not be affected unless the Michigan Legislature adopts a statewide workplace ban, an idea he supports for its universal inclusion.
He said he supports the health department's effort, but hopes it doesn't become bogged down in the bureaucratic process.
"I think the state's going to come through with something here pretty soon," Barr said. "This county's got bigger issues."
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