A division of the Saginaw County Youth Protection Council

Questions about Smoke Free Law

Frequently Asked Questions about Michigan's

Smoke-Free Law

Q: What date does the law take effect?

A: May 1, 2010

Q: What does the law cover?

A: All worksites excluding tobacco specialty shops, portions of casinos and designated cigar bars.

A: The shop's primary purpose must be the retail sale of tobacco products and smoking paraphernalia. The shop must generate 75% of more of its total gross annual income for the on-site sale of tobacco products and smoking paraphernalia. The tobacco specialty retail store must be physically separated from any areas of the same or adjacent establishments in which smoking is prohibited under the smoke free law. "Physically separated" means an area that is enclosed on all sides by any combination of solid walls, windows, or doors that extend from floor to ceiling.  The tobacco specialty retail store must prohibit entry to a person under the age of 18 during the time the tobacco specialty retail store is open for business.

Q: What are the requirements for a cigar bar destination?

A: Cigar bars may be exempted provided they meet the criteria outlined below.

Q: What is a cigar bar?

A: A cigar bar is an establishment or a specialty designated area within an establishment that is open to the public and is designated for the smoking of cigars only.

• If a business owner chooses to designate an area as a cigar bar within his/her business, that area must be physically separated from any areas of the same or adjacent establishment where smoking in prohibited. Physically separated means an area that is enclosed on all sides by an combination of solid walls, windows, or doors that extend from the floor to ceiling. The smoke from the cigar bar must not infiltrate the nonsmoking areas.
• In order to qualify for this exemption, the cigar bar must file an affidavit with the Department on or before May 31st 2010 stating that the cigar bar was in existence on May 1, 2010 and must meet the following requirements:
• In the 30-day period immediately preceding (April 1) the effective date of May 1, 2010, the cigar bar must generate 10% or more of its total gross annual income from the on-site humidors.
• The cigar bar must be physically spearated from any areas of the same or adjacent establishment in which smoking is prohibited. Smoke may not infiltrate into those nonsmoking areas.
• The cigar bar must have an installed on-site humidor.
• The cigar bar must prohibit entry to a person under the age of 18 during the time the cigar bar is open for business.
• Cigars smoked on the premises must retail for over $1.00 per cigar.
• The cigar bar must prohibit the smoking of all other tobacco products.

Q: How do I apply for a cigar bar exemption or how do I make my bar a cigar bar?

A: The state is currently developing a process to declare the cigar bar designation. Once this process is developed, it will be announced to the public.

Q: What are the requirements for Casinos?

A: Casinos are partially exempted. Only the gaming areas of casinos are exempted. All bars and restaurants that are in or are a casino must be smoke-free.

Q: Can smoking be allowed on patios of restaurants and bars?

A: Patio areas of bars and restaurants where food or beverages are served are an extension of the establishment, therefore smoking would be prohibited.

Source: MDCH- Tobacco Dept. For more information please contact: Cindy Vanderlip at the Saginaw County Department of Public Health (989) 758-3813