Smoking in Michigan Gets Snuffed Out

Michigan joined 37 other states this week when it banned smoking in restaurants, bars and other public places – excluding casinos. It is a victory for its advocates who have pushed the state Congress to pass this law over the past several years.

I am amazed, however, by the outrage of people who do not think that government should make smoking illegal in public places. There is a concern that government is regulating private businesses and personal choice. Here is a newsflash – the government regulates businesses and your personal health and safety already, but people seem to choose which regulations they like and which ones they don’t. In this case – it is mostly those who smoke who are choosing to dislike these regulations.

Let’s take a look at why the smoking ban is a good idea. First, smoking and secondhand smoke has proven to increase one’s risk of a multitude of chronic health conditions including heart disease and cancer. This is a scientifically proven fact. I don’t think that anyone argues against that fact. If you didn’t know this, you must be living under one huge rock.

Secondly, the cost of healthcare services to smokers and those exposed to smoke, is significantly higher. So, for those crying out that healthcare costs are too expensive and out-of-control, think about how less burdened our healthcare system would be if people quit smoking.

Those who are against smoking legislation argue that smoking is a personal choice and if someone chooses to smoke and understands the health risks, then so be it. Government should not legislate personal health choices.

Some restaurant and bar owners claim a smoking ban will put them out of business. Tell that to New York, Florida, Chicago and the numerous other cities and states with similar bans. The ratio of businesses that have opened and thrived during these bans are far more than those who have failed due to the loss of the smokers’ patronage.

In fact, more restaurants will agree that they have more requests for non-smoking seating than smoking. Have you ever been on a waiting list at a restaurant for the smoking section? Rarely. Few businesses will go under because of the smoking ban and some will probably increase.

Finally, for those people who think that one’s personal choices should not be legislated by the government as long as “they are not hurting anyone else” I say this:  Since secondhand smoke is proven to have a negative health impact on everyone exposed to it, you ARE hurting someone else.

No one is telling you that you can’t smoke in your own home. And, that you have to stop smoking in your home if a guest arrives. What the legislation is telling you is that you cannot go out into a place that is open to the public and expose people to secondhand smoke who are not choosing to be around it.

Look at it this way. Your car is your personal property. Drinking is a personal choice. However, when you take your car out onto a public roadway after you’ve consumed too many drinks, the government says this is illegal. Why is this law in place? Because driving while intoxicated can be harmful to you as well as the unsuspecting public. I don’t hear many people arguing that they should be allowed to drink and drive because it’s a “personal choice.”

Congratulations to the Michigan legislature for finally stepping up and passing this law. It was long overdue.