But exemptions for casinos, racetracks may not stick
BY CHRIS CHRISTOFF ? FREE PRESS LANSING BUREAU CHIEF ? May 29, 2008
LANSING — A campaign to prohibit smoking in bars, restaurants and all Michigan workplaces took another bounce Wednesday when the House voted — again — for a bill that would exempt casinos, cigar bars, bingo halls and horse racetracks from the ban.
But the maneuver may result in a total ban anyway because earlier the Senate rejected House exemptions from a statewide smoking ban. If that decision isn’t reversed, the House likely will vote for a bill to ban smoking everywhere, no exceptions.
Wednesday’s House vote came under mounting public pressure for a smoking ban, but also pressure from Detroit’s casinos, which warn that a smoking ban would cut into their business and force layoffs. The vote was 65-39 for a smoking ban with exceptions