Wednesday, May 28 2008
Michigan House members voted 65-39 in favor of a bill that would ban smoking in workplaces such as bars and restaurants, but casinos, tobacco shops, cigar bars, bingo halls, and race tracks will be exempt from the legislation.
It continues a stalemate between the House and the Senate, which this month approved a broader smoking ban that extended to all workplaces, including casinos. Senate leaders said the House action was guilty of "political gamesmanship" that doesn't move the state any closer to smoke-free work environment.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm has repeatedly said she is eager to sign smoke-free legislation. But that won't happen unless the two chambers can agree to the same set of restrictions.
Michigan House approves smoking ban, but exempts casinos
