ADOPTED - APRIL 27, 2010

                                                                                                                                                   Agenda Item No. 18

Introduced by the Human Services Committee of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION TO DIRECT THE INGHAM COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT INSPECTIONS OF RESTAURANTS, BARS AND WORKPLACES TO MONITOR FULL COMPLIANCE OF THE RON M. DAVIS SMOKE FREE AIR LAW

RESOLUTION #10-134

WHEREAS, environmental tobacco smoke is widely recognized as a serious health hazard and Class A carcinogen; and

WHEREAS, after years of debate and delay, Governor Granholm signed into law the Ron M. Davis Smoke Free Air Law on December 18, 2009; and

WHEREAS, this law will require restaurants, bars and workplaces to be smoke free effective May 1, 2010; and

WHEREAS, local health departments are charged to enforce the law; and

WHEREAS, multiple Michigan counties are refusing to enforce this law as they consider it to be an unfunded mandate; and

WHEREAS, Ingham County acknowledges the concern about state unfunded mandates, but more highly values the significant public health benefits that will accrue from the Ron M. Davis Law; and

WHEREAS, in 2002, Ingham County became the first county in Michigan to pass a smoke-free air regulation, covering public and private worksites and in 2009 Ingham County passed a resolution to improve the quality of air in restaurants; and

WHEREAS, Ingham County continues its history of leadership and health promotion in tobacco control by supporting tobacco cessation programming throughout its jurisdiction.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners applauds Governor Granholm and the state legislature on passage of the Ron M. Davis Law. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners enthusiastically directs the Ingham County Health Department to inspect restaurants, bars and worksites, to monitor full compliance with the law and to ensure that workers and patrons of Ingham County establishments enjoy the full public health benefits of clean indoor air.

HUMAN SERVICES:  Yeas:  McGrain, Davis, Tennis, Nolan, Koenig

     Nays:  Vickers     Absent:  None       Approved  4/19/10