After years of debate, legislation banning smoking in indoor workplaces including bars and restaurants – but exempting the gaming floors of Detroit’s three casinos, cigar bars, and tobacco specialty stores – is headed to Governor Granholm for her signature.
On Thursday, December 10, the Michigan Senate voted 24-13 in favor of HB 4377 and the House quickly concurred with a vote of 75-30. The ban would take effect May 1. Businesses not in compliance with the ban would be subject to a fine.
Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) was an early supporter of this effort to protect the health of Michigan residents. According to the American Lung Association, secondhand smoke causes approximately 3,400 lung cancer deaths and 46,000 heart disease deaths in adult nonsmokers in the U.S. each year. Secondhand smoke is especially harmful to children, responsible for up to 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections in those under 18 months of age and an increased number of pediatric asthma cases.
“This will be a great opportunity for Michigan Primary Care Association to continue our work in helping the state’s Community Health Centers strengthen their tobacco dependency treatment services,” said Lynda Meade, Program Manager, MPCA.
MPCA is in the final stage of a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Health Resources and Services Administration supporting the integration of tobacco treatment into Michigan Community Health Centers. Outstanding trainers guided by a steering committee developed a curriculum specifically for Community Health Centers following the high standards set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Michigan is the 38th state to enact a smoking regulation.
Community Health Center staff who would like more information on best practices and resources for integrating tobacco treatment into their services, please contact Lynda Meade, Program Manager, Michigan Primary Care Association, at lmeade@mpca.net or 517.381.8000.