opinion: Good to see smoking ban's positive impact on community
It is good to read of the numerous studies in Michigan that now show the Michigan Smoke-Free Air Law has not adversely affected business profits and has actually increased profits of many Michigan businesses.
These studies mirror the one reported by AnnArbor.com on Sept. 17, which was conducted by the University of Michigan. We have stayed over in beautiful Washtenaw County several times while traveling on the way to vacation in Windsor, Canada, and enjoy the Ann Arbor area.
These statewide smoking laws are showing similar results among 37 other states that have smoke-free laws. I am a Conservative Republican and business owner here in Illinois, and I can tell everyone that our strong five-year-old smoke-free law has been good for both health and business.
The smoke-free law is strongly supported by both political parties, along with over 84 percent of Illinois residents, including a majority of smokers, according to recent polls. Congratulations to the great state of Michigan with the success of the Michigan Smoke-Free Air Law. Ann Arbor and the entire state is much better off for having these smoke-free protections in place.
Bill Kerschner
Rockford, Ill.
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