The State News focused on patrons choosing smoking or nonsmoking environments on their own, and although this is true, those customers are not the main issue.

Comprehensive smoke-free legislation will protect all employees, regardless of where they work, from exposure to secondhand smoke while at work. No one should have to choose between their health and a paycheck.

In today’s economy, workers have to hold on to their jobs regardless of whether smoking is allowed in the establishment. Food service employees are exposed to secondhand smoke daily and are up to 50 percent more likely to develop lung cancer due to secondhand smoke exposure just to bring home a paycheck. Michigan workers should not have to put their health at risk to make a living. House Bill 4341, which I introduced, would protect the health of all Michigan workers by creating smoke-free workplaces, including restaurants, bars and casinos.

To protect our constituents, the legislature has already passed laws regulating use of pasteurized foods, cooking temperatures for meats, thawing methods for frozen foods and proper disposal of sewage and water waste.

Why would we treat secondhand smoke exposure any differently from any other health protection in the restaurant industry?

While I applaud the area restaurants and bars that have chosen to go smoke-free on their own, some businesses are afraid of losing customers to establishments that still allow smoking. Smoke-free legislation will provide the level playing field that is needed for businesses to compete equally with one another.

As The State News noted, businesses would not be hurt by smoke-free legislation since the legislation would affect all businesses equally. Since New York enacted smoke-free laws in 2003, the state has seen increased revenues, including an 8.7 percent increase in business tax receipts from bars and restaurants in addition to the creation of 10,600 hospitality jobs.

Additional studies have been done in states across the country with smoke-free laws including Massachusetts, Texas, Florida, Wisconsin and Indiana which all came to the same conclusion: Smoke-free air does not negatively affect bar sales.

This point was again reinforced in 2008 when Lansing-based Public Sector Consultants Inc. released a report proving that “comprehensive smoke-free laws have no negative impact on bars or restaurants.”

Public sentiment for smoke-free laws is growing dramatically. More than 30 states have enacted smoke-free air laws, and now it is time for Michigan to follow suit.

Additionally, more than 20 Michigan counties have worked to ensure smoke-free workplaces, but preemptive laws prevent counties from regulating smoking in restaurants and bars, yet another reason for statewide smoke-free legislation to be passed.

A poll conducted in 2005 showed that 90 percent of registered Michigan voters think secondhand smoke is harmful to their health and 80 percent feel it is important to work in a smoke-free environment. Of those polled, nearly two-thirds would favor a law creating smoke-free workplaces.

Protecting Michigan residents should always be a legislator’s main priority. “Pay to Play” legislation is not acceptable as it allows businesses to purchase a permit to expose employees and patrons to secondhand smoke. Providing a “Pay to Play” option for businesses to purchase a license to allow smoking is not a valid compromise.

The time is now for smoke-free air in Michigan. My fellow legislators and I are working hard to protect the health of all Michigan workers. No one should have to choose between their health and their paycheck and that is the bottom line.

State Rep. Joan Bauer, D-Lansing, is a State News guest columnist. Reach her at joanbauer@house.mi.gov.