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On December 10, Michigan became the 38^th state to pass a law that bans smoking in the workplace, including restaurants and bars.

The Michigan smoking ban will go into effect on May 1, 2010. The law prohibits smoking in almost all bars, restaurants and workplaces. Exceptions to the smoking include tobacco specialty stores and cigar bars. Smoking will also be allowed in home offices and motor vehicles – even motor vehicles used for work.

Governor Jennifer Granholm called the bill “a terrific gift to Michigan.”

By implementing the smoking ban, Michigan joins with other states including New York, California and Illinois.

Under the new law, smoking will be permitted on the gambling floor of the Detroit-area casinos, but prohibited in the casino bars, restaurants and hotels. The casino exemption was a compromise between House Democrats and conservatives in the Michigan Senate.

When the bill was signed by the governor, Michigan became the 38th state to ban smoking in public places including government buildings, (more…)

The new Oregon Smokefree Workplace Law goes into effect on January 1, 2009. The law prohibits smoking in most public place and workplaces, with a very few exceptions.

Employers are responsible for enforcing the new law. The new law replaces Oregon’s previous non-smoking law, which permitted smoking in many businesses.

Under the new law, employers must prominently post “No Smoking” signs and must prohibit smoking within 10 feet of doors, windows and air intake vents. Employers must also ensure that ashtrays are at least 10 feet from entrances, and train all employees on how to ask patrons to refrain from smoking.

Employers must also (more…)

Michigan seems poised to pass a smoking ban that would affect almost all employers, including restaurants and bars, in the next legislative session. Both the state house and senate passed bills protecting employees from second-hand smoke in the workplace in 2008. However, the two bills had significant differences and the legislature was unable to resolve those differences before they adjourned for the summer in late May.

Bills to ban smoking in restaurants and bars were introduced in 2007 in both the Michigan House and Senate. In each case, the bills generated a lot of debate and were sent into the 2008 legislative session.

In the spring of 2008, (more…)