Bingos Not Exempt as Smoking Ban Passes House

Attempts to add an exemption for charitable bingos failed, as the Michigan House passed a smoking ban. Under this law proposal, the Detroit casinos and cigar bars patrons will be allowed to smoke, but bingo players won't.

The bill will now move on to the Senate.

From the Detroit News:

The Michigan House today approved legislation to ban smoking in bars, restaurants and other public places but gives exemptions to Detroit's three casinos as well as cigar bars and tobacco specialty shops.

The vote was 73-31. The bill is nearly identical to one passed in the House last year. The Senate then approved its own version of a smoking ban that was a blanket prohibition with no exemptions. The effort to ban smoking died when the two chambers couldn't reach a compromise.

For the complete story, please see Charlie Cain, Michigan House OKs smoking ban, exempts casinos, The Detroit News, May 26, 2009.