No smoking ban yet in Michigan

LANSING, Mich., Dec. 20 (UPI) -- The Michigan legislature has once again failed to pass a statewide smoking ban, leaving anti-smoking groups thinking about strategy.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm told reporters Friday she believes the legislature will act next year, The Detroit News reported.

The legislative session ended Friday with the House and Senate still split on a bill. A majority in the House want a ban that allows exceptions for casinos and racetracks as well as cigar bars, while the Senate wants all workplaces to be smoke-free.

Granholm said support for a smoking ban is "overwhelming." She said if legislators continue to ignore that, there is another way forward.

"If it doesn't get done in the next go-round, there will be an opportunity to put it on the ballot and let the citizens decide," she said.

Judy Stewart of the Campaign for Smokefree Air said she hopes the legislature does move on a ban.

"Ballot campaigns are very expensive," she said. "It's not like we can come up with millions of dollars at the drop of a hat."