Proposed smoking ban ignites debate

Sunday, December 07 2008

After working for more than two decades as a bartender at Mr. B's Pub in Royal Oak, Chip Watson of Berkley said he wouldn't mind if the state Legislature bans smoking in bars and restaurants even if it means it'll inconvenience some customers.

"I used to smoke years ago, and I do have asthma," he said.

But Carmen Young of Royal Oak, owner of O'Toole's in Royal Oak, said a ban on smoking in the work place would be government interference. She's president of the Royal Oak Restaurant Association, which is lobbying against the proposed ban.

Proposed smoking ban ignites debate continues...