For many, smoking in bars is a fact of life; an undeniable truth. Soon, though, people's habits may be drastically altered.
Michigan lawmakers held a hearing Tuesday to discuss a possible statewide ban on smoking inside bars, restaurants and workplaces.
The ban was proposed by Democrats in the Michigan House of Representatives, and with Democrats having the majority in the House, there is more of a chance it may pass than in the past. A similar proposal was given only one hearing in 2004, and never received a vote.
Although there are certain health hazards that come hand-in-hand with smoking, a complete ban on smoking would be a bad decision for the state.
Current policy allows bars and restaurants to choose whether to allow smoking in their businesses.
These business owners fear if a ban is imposed, the government will be infringing on their livelihood and telling them how to run their business. Several states have already established bans on smoking in bars and some have outlawed smoking in any public place.
The choice should be left to the business owners. The owners will choose the demographic that works for their establishment - drawing the distinction between a smoky, dive bar and a family restaurant.
This distinction is important and should be recognized both by lawmakers and by business owners.
An establishment such as a bowling alley where a family with children might be in attendance should have a stricter policy on smoking. Conversly, a bar owner, whose facility is occupied entirely by 21 and older, should be free to choose how it is run.
Smoking in bars is something to be expected. It can be assumed very few people go to bars with the expectation of being healthier when they leave.
In many establishments, if smoking is taken away, patrons would be turned off from going there entirely.
Without the ban, there are many bars and restaurants switching to entirely smoke-free facilities. This shows the business owners are thinking about the issue and do have their patrons in mind.
Restaurants with self-imposed, anti-smoking policies do not deter smokers from coming in. But the issue is people should have the choice.
There are places nonsmokers can go, and there is no harm in having establishments that cater to a smoking clientele, if that is their choice.
Smokers are not going to stop smoking. If the proposed ban comes to fruition, it will be no more than an inconvenience to Michigan's smoking population but would send a message to business owners, that lawmakers can continue to tell them how to run their business.
