LANSING – In an effort to protect Michigan residents and workers from the dangers of secondhand smoke, State Representative Gino H. Polidori (D-Dearborn) on Wednesday supported a plan in the Michigan House of Representatives that prohibits smoking in virtually all indoor public places – including restaurants and bars.
"Our hard-working residents who earn a living working in bars and restaurants shouldn't be forced to breathe in other people's smoke day in and day out," Polidori said. "Everyone knows the risks associated with secondhand smoke – cancer, asthma and respiratory ailments. This plan protects our workers. It also protects our residents who want to enjoy a night out for a meal from being exposed to secondhand smoke."
Secondhand smoke is classified as a Group A carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause or exacerbate a wide range of serious health problems, including cancer, respiratory infections and asthma, according to the American Lung Association (ALA).
The ALA reports that secondhand smoke causes approximately 3,400 lung cancer deaths and 46,000 heart disease deaths in adult nonsmokers in the United States each year, and that nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke at work are at increased risk for health problems.
The plan prohibits smoking in places of employment and most public places, including bars and restaurants. Those who violate the law would be fined up to $100 for the first violation and up to $500 for any subsequent violations. The plan exempts certain cigar bars and tobacco specialty retail stores, casino game room floors, bingo halls and horse racing tracks. Some form of smoke-free law has been passed in 32 states.
Secondhand smoke is especially harmful to children, the ALA reports. It is responsible for up to 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections in kids under 18 months of age, resulting in up to 15,000 hospitalizations a year. It causes 430 sudden infant death syndrome deaths in the U.S. annually, the ALA reports. In addition, new evidence links increases in the number of asthma cases in children to secondhand smoke exposure.
"Children are especially vulnerable to the risks of secondhand smoke because their lungs are still developing," Polidori said. "This plan protects our children as well as our workers, and it will save lives. I urge my fellow lawmakers in the Senate to take quick action to get this plan to the Governor for her signature."