Smoke Break

This is what happens when the voters do not pay attention, people don’t vote or they vote for any idiot that uses flowery words, read on;

Senate passes ban on smoking

Bill heading to the House would bar lighting up in clubs, restaurants, even bingo halls, casinos.

Charlie Cain / Detroit News Lansing Bureau

LANSING — All Michigan workplaces, including bars, restaurants and clubs, are a big step closer to becoming smoke-free.

Good ol’ nanny statism at work.

“I can now say Michigan will be a smoke-free state,” said a jubilant Sen. Ray Basham, D-Taylor, following the state Senate’s surprise vote Thursday to enact a widespread smoking ban.

“This is a huge victory for the people of Michigan who don’t want to be subjected to second-hand smoke, which the U.S. surgeon general has said is unsafe in any amount,” added Basham, who has been waging an often lonely 10-year crusade against public smoking.

I think all smoking voters in Taylor, MI should send their lovely senator a thank-you gift.  I said “smoking voters” because those who smoke but didn’t vote have only thyemselves to blame.  I think I will send a gift too.  How about everyone send him a cigarrette with a cute little card that says, “For your vote on the smoking ban.  Place in orifice and light up!”  Or something along those lines.

The prospect of a smoke-free environment appeals to Stephanie Gant, 43, of Southfield.

“I don’t smoke and I can’t stand the smell of smoke,” said Gant, who was bowling with her twin 4-year-old boys at Cloverlanes Bowl in Livonia on Thursday. “We should be able to go out and enjoy our time without having to deal with smoke.”

“…enjoy our time…” is the key phrase here.  Smokers should be able enjoy a place to smoke, without gubmint telling the business owner to ban smoking.  Non-smokers should be able to enjoy their time at non-smoking establishments.  But those establishments should be non-smoking because that is what was intended by the business owner, not gubmint.  A true entrapenuer would see that there are many businesses that have smoking, see that there are many non-smokers with kids, viola!  An idea is born.  They open a business that is smoke free.  Everyone is happy and everyone wins.  But gubmint has their heads you know where to not realize this.

Until Thursday’s vote, the Republican-controlled Senate had resisted a smoking ban, largely on grounds that it was a decision best left to business owners and their customers.

“I love my country, but, God, some days I fear my government,” said Sen. Alan Sanborn, R-Richmond, who voted against the legislation. “This is another case of it sticking its nose where it doesn’t belong.”

Exactly!  Mr. Sanborn is a real man!  Smokers of Richmond, MI send this guy a thank-you gift, a real one.

The proposal, approved on a 25-12 vote, returns to the House for consideration of changes made by the Senate. The Senate version, unlike one approved by the House in December, makes no exceptions for Detroit’s casinos, bingo halls and cigar bars. Both versions would ban smoking at clubs and fraternal organizations such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

I hate to say it, but if you are going to make a bad proposal, at least make no exceptions for anyone.

Governor would sign bill

Gov. Jennifer Granholm is eager to sign any smoke-free legislation that reaches her desk.

“I congratulate the Senate for approving legislation that bans smoking in public places,” Granholm said in a statement issued by her office. “Their action sends a strong message across Michigan — and the nation — that we place a high priority on the health of our citizens.

Ms. Jenny, it ain’t gubmint’s place to put a priority on individual person’s health.

“It will go a long way toward influencing the action of our young people, too. I urge the House to act as quickly as possible.”

Again, it ain’t gubmint’s place to “influence the young people.”  That is the job of the parents and pastor, rabbi or priest.  Hell, I would rather have Britney Spears influence the the youngins then gubmint.

Shana Dyas, a 28-year-old Detroit resident who works at the Majestic Theater Center near downtown Detroit, said she’s smoked for seven years and doesn’t decide where to eat or drink based on an establishment’s smoking policy.

“To me, it’s more something that should be up to the owner,” she said. “If the owner doesn’t want smoking, they don’t have to allow it. For a food or family place I totally understand the ban. But nightclubs … it will annoy some people. People will have to adapt.”

I was so almost with Ms. Dyas, until the last sentence.  No, people should not have to adapt.

Lance Binoniemi of The Michigan Restaurant Association and the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association says this;

He said the measure, if enacted, will be unfair to many of his members who would have to compete with the 18 American Indian casinos sprinkled across the state. They aren’t subject to state law and would be immune from any smoking ban.

It ain’t right, but I do gotta say, maybe this will bring a little more tourism to the U.P.

Third of bars already ban it

Deloney said about 5,100 Michigan bars and taverns — nearly a third of the state total — have voluntarily gone smoke-free without government prodding. He noted that the number of establishments here that have banned tobacco use has grown by 131 percent since 1998 to accommodate the estimated three-fourths of Michigan adults who do not smoke.

This is an example of free market capitolism at work.  Certain businesses saw a need, and went for it, while the businesses who do allow smoking were left alone.  If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it.

Brenda Clack (D-Flint);

“The Senate did the right thing to make Michigan a cleaner and healthier state,” Clack said.

This isn’t Michigan’s job.

Be right back, time for a smoke.

“This legislation is simply incompatible with free market principles I and many members of this chamber hold dear,” Bishop told colleagues. (as in Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop R-Rochester)

“When will it stop? How much control do you want? And when will people have to stop thinking for themselves entirely?”

That’s what gubmint wants, is for the people to stop thinking at all.

All Senate Democrats voted for the smoking ban except James Barcia of Bay City. Nine of the Senate’s 21 Republicans also voted yes. [more here] 

Well at least one Democrat has common sense.