Med students rally for anti-smoking laws

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Hundreds of students and other concerned citizens gathered Thursday at the Capitol steps to lobby for legislation to ban smoking in Michigan workplaces.

The health care rally was organized by the American Medical Student Association, or AMSA, Student Osteopathic Medical Association and the MSU College of Human Medicine.

The rally’s main purpose was to voice support for House Bill No. 4341, an anti-smoking bill that has become known as the Clean Air Bill.

AMSA members wore white coats and urged passersby to sign pre-written letters asking Michigan representatives for their support.

“The whole point is smoking is bad for people, but we all know how bad it is,” said MSU first-year medical student Vibha Gupta, who helped organize the rally.

“People die of secondhand smoke in Michigan.”

Michigan’s current smoke-free workplace policy bans smoking inside places of employment, but excludes restaurants and bars. Advocates for a stricter policy argue that restaurants and bars should be included, because patrons and workers are endangered by secondhand smoke.

Although many restaurants and bars oppose the legislation, some, including Harper’s Restaurant & Brewpub, 131 Albert Ave., and Harrison Roadhouse, 720 Michigan Ave., have voluntarily chosen to become smoke-free.

MSU medical student Kasey Vargo, who helped organize the rally, said Michigan’s anti-smoking legislation lags behind the rest of the nation.

“It’s sad that Michigan is so behind,” Vargo said. “Thirty-five states have become smoke-free in public establishments. We are trying to catch Michigan up.”

AMSA members met with 18 Michigan legislators to voice their concerns while a DJ blasted dance music and government, education and health care officials spoke about Michigan’s health care issues.

Those who weren’t listening or participating in a raffle mingled at one of more than 20 health-related booths.

The event continued into the evening, with a benefit concert at Rendezvous Night Club, 226 E. Grand River Ave., in Lansing.

Many students at the rally, such as University of Michigan medical student Sonali Palchaudhuri, said they felt a responsibility to be active in the rally as a voice for the younger generation.

“Becoming smoke free is a really important topic, and that we as the future health professionals may have some sway in terms of helping legislation pass,” Palchaudhuri said.

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