SUTTONS BAY -- Leaders in Leelanau and Benzie counties made their communities' indoor workplaces smoke-free.
The law is a welcome change that will prevent public exposure to dangerous second-hand smoke, some believe, while others suggest the new law infringes on free enterprise and individual choice. The new regulation does not impact bars, restaurants, tobacco shops and tribal casinos and will become effective Nov. 16.
"I think it's a great idea," said Ed Beuerle, owner of Northern Lumber Company in Suttons Bay.
Smoking already is forbidden at his business, primarily because there is "a lot of lumber laying around," he said, but it's good policy for all businesses.
"It's more healthy for employees working in the stores and for customers. If people want to smoke, they can walk outside and smoke," Beuerle said.
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners approved the measure last month and Benzie County leaders did the same in July.
"My belief is that anytime we can make a workplace safer, then we've done an important job," said Bill Crawford, health officer with the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department.
The department will enforce the law on a complaint-basis only and notification letters will be sent to all businesses prior to when the law takes effect, Crawford said.
Benzie County Commissioner Kristin Hollenbeck was the sole dissenter against smoke-free workplaces.
"It's a government intrusion on free enterprise and the rights of the individual to smoke," she said.
Hollenbeck is a smoker and recognizes the U.S. Surgeon General said there is no risk-free level of second-hand smoke. But she believes it should be an individual's choice whether to frequent businesses where smoking is allowed.
In Leelanau County, the law passed by a 4-3 vote, with commissioners James Schaub, Richard Schmuckal and Melinda Lautner dissenting.
Lautner said the law seems to dictate to businesses what they can and cannot do, plus it seems to not be enforceable. That's why she opposed the proposal, she said.
"I just felt like there were some things in there we would be overstepping with," Lautner said.
Lisa Danto, coordinator for the Traverse Bay Area Tobacco Coalition, said Benzie and Leelanau counties join a host of other Michigan counties and cities that banned smoking in workplaces. Some in the area include Antrim, Emmet and Otsego counties, plus Traverse City.
The coalition works to create smoke-free environments across the region.
"We know so much about the harmful effects of tobacco smoke and we have enough scientific data to know we must protect employees and workers from second-hand smoke," Danto said.
Danto said she hopes state lawmakers soon will ban smoking in restaurants and bars.
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