It has been one year since the ‘No-Smoking’ signs went up in Michigan bars and restaurants. Reviews of the one year old state smoking ban are mixed.
Michigan bar and restaurant owners say they have lost business since the Smoke Free Air Law took affect on May 1st, 2010. Tax receipts seem to back up that claim. Sales of cigarettes, liquor and bar-based gambling games, like Club Keno and pull tabs, all declined during the past 12 months.
Still, state officials say the smoking ban is doing what it was intended to do. Orlando Todd is with the Department of Community Health. He says a study shows bar workers are healthier now than before the smoking ban started.
"We also did air quality studies in different regions of the state. It showed air quality in restaurants and bars had significantly improved since the passage of the law. So overall I would say it’s gone really well.”
Todd says, despite a legal challenge and complaints by bar and restaurant owners, compliance with the smoking ban is high.
