State health officials received nearly 15 hundred complaints about businesses violating Michigan’s public smoking ban during the first year of the ban’s existence. The smoking ban took effect on May 1st, 2010.
James McCurtis is with the Department of Community Health. He says for a lot of businesses getting a citation for violating the smoking ban has been like getting a speeding ticket from a state trooper.
“Hopefully businesses have learned that lesson and we can move forward with continued success.”
Michigan bars and restaurants complain the smoking ban has cost them business.
Here's the official release from the Department of Community Health:
(MDCH) statewide survey of all local health departments, the state has received 1,126 violations of the smoke-free law in food service establishments including restaurants, bars and bowling alleys since it took effect May 1, 2010.
Of the 1,126 violations, 101 of them resulted in citations and two of them required cease orders to gain compliance. Non-Food service establishments received 365 violations and 16 of those violations resulted in citations being issued. Bringing the statewide total to
1,491 violations and 117 issued citations. A violation is a complaint found to be valid and required action by the health department.
“We owe the local health departments a big thank you for their efforts to educate the public and businesses about the law and the action they have taken to gain compliance. We also appreciate the cooperation of businesses to ensure they have taken the appropriate steps to comply with the law.”
