On March 30, the American Arab Chamber of Commerce hosted an informative meeting regarding the upcoming smoking ban. Over 200 business owners attended, with many questions pertaining to their various Hookah establishments.   

The meeting included a panel of representatives from the Departments of Community Health, Agriculture and County Health Department from Lansing. The panel noted that the ban will be enforced in all Michigan bars and restaurants, with the exception of cigar bars and tobacco specialty stores.  

Many of the hookah-restaurant establishments are finding themselves in an unpleasant position. With the new guidelines soon approaching, many of the business owners have to determine whether they will be defined solely as a restaurant or a cigar shop, which will force business owner to either eliminate food or tobacco from their business.

 
"It is important that we provide our business members with a clear understanding of the new law", says Executive Director, Fay Beydoun. There is less than a month before the law takes effect. Members need to better understand what is expected and how to prepare their businesses in order to comply with the new law. 

For more information go to www.michigan.gov/smokefreelaw