As a smoke-free air advocate, I want to thank the Traverse City Record-Eagle for its editorial in support of smoke-free legislation published on March 6. Currently, House Bill 4163, which would create smoke-free workplaces, including restaurants and bars statewide, is awaiting a Senate committee hearing.
After passing though the House in December, the bill was sent to the Senate Government Operations and Regulatory Reform Committee, chaired by Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop. Bishop has assured Michigan voters that the bill will have a hearing.
To date, 22 counties and four cities (including Traverse City) in Michigan have passed smoke-free worksite regulations and ordinances; however, restaurants and bars are pre-empted by state law.
This means that state lawmakers must pass HB 4163 in order for restaurants and bars to become 100 percent smoke-free, and for Michigan to have a comprehensive policy that protects all workers from secondhand smoke exposure, regardless of where they work.
According to the most recent report issued by the U.S. Surgeon General, the only way to protect consumers and employees from deadly exposure to second-hand smoke is through comprehensive smoke-free workplace policies. Smoking and non-smoking sections do not provide effective barriers against second-hand smoke. Two hours in a restaurant that allows smoking is the equivalent of smoking 11/2 cigarettes.
Second-hand smoke is the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States, killing about 50,000 nonsmokers every year, according to the California Environmental Protection Agency. Food service workers are 50 percent more likely to develop lung cancer, due largely to second-hand smoke exposure while on the job.
As stated in the editorial, the Legislature has taken measures to create a healthier environment for those sitting in Michigan prisons. So what about the young college students, working mothers and fathers, and other people who are frequently working in the food service industry trying to make a living?
We have been able to learn a lot from the states which have gone smoke-free before us. Not only do customers continue to dine out, but revenue lost to worker absenteeism from poor health has declined.
States that have gone smoke-free before us have shown that the restaurant industry is not negatively affected, nor are the state and local economies.
In a statewide poll in 2005, nearly 80 percent of Michigan voters said they would go to restaurants/bars "more/just as often" if they became smoke-free. In fact, there are local business owners I know who are in favor of this legislation because it creates a "level playing field." Without the state's support, they don't feel they can successfully go smoke-free, so they haven't tried.
This proves that now is the time for the Michigan Senate to listen to and support its constituents and our local businesses by enacting smoke-free legislation.
Citizens, businesses and organizations are welcome to join our tobacco coalition in our efforts to help reduce the use of tobacco and exposure to secondhand smoke.
About the author: Lisa Danto, RN, BSN, MPH, NCTAS, of Suttons Bay, a registered nurse for 23 years, has been a nationally certified Tobacco Addiction Specialist for four years and is the coordinator of the Traverse Bay Area Tobacco Coalition which serves Benzie, Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties.
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