The state Senate has amended a budget bill to add a new exception to Michigan’s workplace smoking ban.
The Senate version of the human services budget would prohibit spending money to enforce the smoking ban against an annual charity cigar dinner in Traverse City and other events like it.
Republican state Senator Howard Walker sponsored the budget amendment.
"It has to do with non-profits that have been in business for over 10 years for their charity which will help some of the needy folks in the community,” Walker said.
Specifically, the amendment would allow the Father Fred Foundation cigar dinner to go forward without running the risk of a citation.
Organizers have been trying to find away around the smoking ban since 2010.
Right now, the only exceptions to the smoking ban are the casinos in Detroit and on tribal land.
Anti-smoking groups oppose the exception.
