Western Upper Peninsula Update
Upper Peninsula advocates seek smoking ban
HANCOCK, Mich. The health department representing five counties in the western Upper Peninsula wants public places and work sites declared off-limits to smoking.
Gail Ploe is a prevention specialist with the Western Upper Peninsula District Health Department. She says it will ask boards of commissioners in the five counties to approve anti-smoking ordinances.
The counties include Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon.
The proposed ordinances would not apply to bars and restaurants.
Ploe says she recognizes people’s right to smoke … but she says second-hand smoke is dangerous and non-smokers shouldn’t have to breathe it.
Critics say it should be up to individual businesses to set smoking policy.
