Smoking ban means big changes for GR

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A statewide smoking ban takes effect in a few weeks, and it will mean big changes for local bars and restaurants.

Starting May 1, it will be out with the cigarettes and ash trays, and in with the no-smoking signs at bars and restaurants across the state. Although Grand Rapids already outlawed smoking in many public places, including work sites, the state law takes it a step further.

In the Grand Rapids ordinance, restaurants, bars and hotel rooms were excluded, but in the statewide smoke-free ban, that isn't the case.

"I think it's a good thing and I've actually been planning on quitting this month because of that," long-time smoker Rebecca Iteen said Tuesday evening.

She has tried to quit smoking on several occasions, but it has never stuck because so many people in her social life smoke, Iteen said.

"It's OK to get rid of the habit of doing it," she added. "But when you're around it when you go out here and there, then you get back into that habit really quick."

Other smokers such as Damian Campbell have a different point of view on the ban.

"They didn't give anybody a choice in the matter," he said. "They've restricted it for the bar owners, they've restricted it for the clientele. I think it's all well and good they want to create environments that are nonsmoking, but as far as doing it in the manner that they did -- I don't think it was right."

The ban should have been voted on by the people, Campbell said.

The stated goal of the law is to "preserve and improve the health, comfort and environment of the people of the state by limiting exposure to secondhand smoke."

Grand Rapids implemented its own no-smoking ordinance in October 2007, prohibiting smoking in public or private work places, among other spots. The new state law will mean no smoking in restaurants, bars and hotel rooms, and "no smoking" placards will need to be placed prominently throughout establishments.

According to the law, penalties are $100 for the first violation and $500 for the second and following violations. Restaurants could also be ordered to stop serving food.

The law is supposed to be enforced by the Kent County Health Department, but how exactly it will do that remains to be seen.

"The problem with that is, we haven't been given any clear instruction or funding on how to do that, so it's an unfunded mandate from the state," said Bridie Bereza, the Kent County Health Department's public information officer. "So, we're not exactly sure at this point how to approach that."

At this point, it looks like enforcement will be complaint-driven, Bereza said, adding that her department is prepared to take those complaints and pass them on to the Michigan Department of Community Health.

The Kent County Health Department expects exact enforcement instructions from the Michigan Department of Community Health within the next few weeks. Bereza said her department hopes and expects most people and businesses will police themselves.

"We're really hoping the lack of cohesive ideas about how this will be enforced won't undermine this effort because we do think it's a victory for Michigan," she said. "It's a victory for public health."

But not all smokers agree.

There is no distance specified about how far away smokers need to be from nonsmoking establishments before they can light up. Some places, including casino gaming floors, cigar bars and tobacco specialty retail stores, may be exempt from the new law. The deadline for cigar bars and tobacco specialty retail stores to apply for an exemption is June 1.

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On the Web:

Enrolled House Bill No. 4377

Michigan's Smoke Free Air Law