The Michigan government seems to be participating in an anti-tobacco spree.
On Tuesday, the state Senate and House passed a bill that will increase the cigarette tax by 75 cents, raising the price of cigarettes to $2 in taxes per pack. It awaits Gov. Jennifer Granholm's signature.
Another act that is currently in the legislative process could ban smoking from restaurants.
The cigarette tax is an unfair attack against smokers. The government may want fewer people to smoke, but in reality it has no place in policing citizen's habits. Smoking may not be the healthiest pursuit, but if people choose to start, that is their own business.
Repeatedly targeting smokers to increase state revenue should not be tolerated. Last year, the price per pack rose, and another increase, so soon, is unfair to smokers. Revenue for the state should be raised in another way.
In regards to the smoking ban in restaurants, such a step seems unfair to businesses. The act might work in California, but the climate there is favorable to outside locations where smoking is allowed.
While understanding the effect the bill desires - smoke-free environments that are more conducive to health and family atmospheres - a ban on smoking in restaurants altogether is a mistake. After all, restaurants have a choice of remaining smoke free at the owners' discretion.
In Michigan, it is likely people will refrain from frequenting establishments where smoking is prohibited in lieu of places that will be exempt from this bill. Places such as Denny's and Caffe Latte, eateries that are patronized because of their acceptance of smokers, will surely see a drop in business if they are not allowed to cater to their smoky clientele.
The best solution for the smoke problem in restaurants is to create more effective barriers in the buildings and more powerful air filters. Businesses should separate the smoking and non-smoking sections with larger partitions. If they are reluctant to build solid walls because they disrupt the social atmosphere, transparent dividers are always an option.
