Bars, restaurants prepare for statewide smoking ban, question enforcement

Sunday, April 11 2010

By John Agar | The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS [MI] -- As a U.S. Navy recruit in 1959, Rich Page figured the government wanted him to light up.

"When I was in boot camp, if you didn't smoke, you didn't get a break."

Those days are gone.

Soon, so are his occasional cigars with pals at the American Legion post in Grandville. The state's ban on indoor smoking -- including bars, restaurants and private clubs -- kicks in May 1. Page signed a petition to exempt private clubs but knows it will be shot down.

"It's not all that much about smoking, it's about rights," Page, 68, of Jenison, said this week. "I just want to know where it's going to stop. I do have a Big Brother issue, I really do."...story continues here