April 30, 2010
April 30, 2010
In radio address, governor says law that takes effect May 1 long overdue
LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said that when people look back at Michigan's smoke-free law many years from now, they'll wonder why it took so long.
"After all, tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, 60 of which are known carcinogens," Granholm said. "Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in Michigan, resulting in about 2,500 deaths in our state every year."
"In adults, secondhand smoke can cause heart attacks and deaths from lung cancer and heart disease," Granholm continued. "Children and adolescents exposed to secondhand smoke are at higher risk for infections of the ear and lower respiratory tract. And secondhand smoke is particularly troublesome for people with allergies or asthma, because it aggravates their symptoms."
The governor said some people opposed Michigan's smoke-free law, because they felt it would hurt business at bars and restaurants where smoking was permitted.
"But a 2008 analysis done by Public Sector Consultants concluded that smoke-free laws do not have a negative economic impact on bars and restaurants," Granholm said. "In fact, studies done in California, Florida, New York and other states indicate that after smoke-free laws are enacted, revenues increase and jobs are created. Many restaurants and bars find themselves welcoming new customers: non-smokers and families who otherwise would not have patronized a smoky bar or restaurant."
"A top priority of my administration is protecting the health and safety of Michigan citizens," Granholm said. "Michigan's smoke-free law provides cleaner indoor air for all to breathe, workers and customers alike. It's a law that was long overdue. And now that the law is taking effect, it's like a breath of fresh air."
The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state. The address is available for download on the governor's Web site at www.michigan.gov/gov together with a clip of the quote above. The radio address also is available as a podcast on the Web site as well as on iTunes and via RSS feed for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers. Links to the audio files and text of today's address follow.
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
Radio Address - Smoke Free
Full: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov247Full_319554_7.mp3
Edited: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov247Edit_319558_7.mp3
Quote: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov247Quote_319566_7.mp3
Hello, this is Governor Jennifer Granholm.
Beginning May 1, there's one thing you won't find in any Michigan bar or restaurant - smoke.
On May 1, most public places in Michigan, including restaurants, bars and worksites, will be smoke-free. And it's been a long time coming. I first called for a smoke-free law in my 2007 State of the State address. And Michigan now joins 37 other states with similar laws.
Many years from now, when people look back at Michigan's smoke-free law, they'll ask, "Why did it take so long?" It does seem to be a no-brainer.
After all, tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, 60 of which are known carcinogens. Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in Michigan, resulting in about 2,500 deaths in our state every year.
In adults, secondhand smoke can cause heart attacks and deaths from lung cancer and heart disease. Children and adolescents exposed to secondhand smoke are at higher risk for infections of the ear and lower respiratory tract. And secondhand smoke is particularly troublesome for people with allergies or asthma, because it aggravates their symptoms.
Some people opposed Michigan's smoke-free law, because they felt it would hurt business at bars and restaurants where smoking was permitted. But a 2008 analysis done by Public Sector Consultants concluded that smoke-free laws do not have a negative economic impact on bars and restaurants.
In fact, studies done in California, Florida, New York and other states indicate that after smoke-free laws are enacted, revenues increase and jobs are created. Many restaurants and bars find themselves welcoming new customers: non-smokers and families who otherwise would not have patronized a smoky bar or restaurant.
Even some Michigan restaurant owners who allowed smoking are admitting that being smoke-free may be a boon to their business. The Lansing State Journal recently quoted a local restaurant owner as saying, "I've had people tell us they love to come to our restaurant, but it's too smoky. We'll gain some restaurant customers."
In addition to bars and restaurants, Michigan's smoke-free law covers hotels and motels, bowling alleys, shopping malls and many other facilities. To learn more about the law, visit www.michigan.gov/smokefreelaw.
A top priority of my administration is protecting the health and safety of Michigan citizens. Michigan's smoke-free law provides cleaner indoor air for all to breathe, workers and customers alike. It's a law that was long overdue. And now that the law is taking effect, it's like a breath of fresh air.
Thank you for listening.
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