Smoking ban snuffed out by Michigan Senate

There are 24 states that ban smoking in restaurants according to the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation. Michigan's House voted to ban smoking but the Senate sent the bill to a committee to die.

The American Lung Association of Michigan and other health advocates have tried for at least ten years to have smoking banned in most workplaces. Last week the Democratic-led house voted to ban smoking in all workplaces including restaurants and bars. The bill did make exceptions for Detroit's casinos, horse race tracks and cigar bars. The Senate made sure the bill was shelved. According to Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, a Republican, the bill will hurt business at bars and restaurants and put too many government restrictions on private businesses. According to a report by Mlive.com

"This says we have a do-nothing Senate whose leadership does not want to deal with the smoking issue," said Sen. Ray Basham, D-Taylor, a longtime smoking ban supporter.

According to Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop it is not a priority at this time for Senate Republicans. He states that it could hurt businesses. Bishop's spokesman Matt Marsden says:

“The timing could not be worse given Michigan's economic woes,”

He did add there was a possibility the bill could get a hearing at a later time. Some of the states that have a ban on smoking are Florida, California and New York. I do not see how it can hurt the restaurant business if the whole state bans smoking. For those who live in states with a ban what do you think?