Wednesday, December 02 2009
By Chris McCalla, Legislative Director (
IPCPR)
Bill to be Considered Exempts Retail Tobacco Shops, Cigar Bars, other Locations
Michigan's Legislature has debated and argued over a statewide smoking ban for the past several years and this latest sparring session may prove to be the one to ban most public smoking statewide.
The bill to be considered in the State Senate is a substitution to a prior house bill. The senate version allows for exemptions for retail tobacco shops, cigars bars, and some casinos. These exemptions were reached and agreed upon through a coalition from both sides of the issue, including your trade association and health advocates.
The Senate may vote on this bill as soon as soon as this week, though anything is possible. While the Senate deliberates on its proposed smoking ban bill, the House may be poised to move forward on its own legislation that may likely not include any exemptions.
Provided both chambers approve their respective bills, both bills would ultimately go to a joint conference committee where final details will be worked out into one final version that both chambers would vote "yea" or "nay."
As there is still time left for the session, it is difficult to say what may ultimately happen. Presently, we have two Legislative Action Alerts in operation, urging Michigan retailers and consumers to contact only their senators to support the compromise bill. Links for both Action Alerts may be accessed via IPCPR's Legislative Action Center.
As more details surface, we will contiue to send updates.
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For information on smoking and tobacco legislation in your state visit the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association website.
