Berrien County Had a Perfect Smoke-Free Business

Smoking Focus compliance checks are showing that communities locally and across Michigan are responding well to the statewide smoking ban that took effect May 1.

Results of an August observational compliance check released this week show Berrien County had a perfect 100 percent score in regards to businesses being smoke-free and posting “no-smoking” signs.


“We’re very pleased with the level of compliance among businesses in our area,” said Kerri Teachout, substance abuse prevention supervisor for the Berrien County Health Department. “We’ve had very few complaints; patrons and customers are following the law, and business owners have taken the necessary steps to ensure that their work site is smoke-free.”

Berrien County already had been smoke-free at workplaces since 2007. The new law also affected bars and restaurants.

Although a positive sign, Teachout stressed that people ought not to look too closely into the numbers. Of the almost 1,800 establishments in which smoking is banned in the county, officials only had the resources to check 20 venues — 14 restaurants, four bars and two bowling alleys.

Teachout said the smoking ban is still almost entirely complaint-driven. Since the ban took effect in the county last year, only two citations have been handed out.

The August check, conducted by researchers with the Michigan Department of Community Health Tobacco Section, was the first since the ban went into place. The results of a November compliance check will be released soon, officials said, while a third check is expected to be conducted sometime in May.

The 11 question survey included observations on whether “no smoking” signs were posted, if ashtrays and/or smoking paraphernalia were visible and whether smoking was permitted in the waiting area, outdoor seating area or anywhere in the venue. It also included whether business managers, when appropriate, asked smokers to refrain from smoking.

Information identifying the venue and the date and time of the observation also was collected.

The survey, which was completed by volunteers age 21 or older in 59 of Michigan’s 83 counties, was conducted at 964 randomly selected restaurants, bars and bowling alleys. The Berrien County Health Department was one of the agencies that worked with volunteers to complete the survey.

Statewide, 85 percent of surveyed establishments had visibly posted “no smoking” signs and nearly 96 percent of these establishments had removed ashtrays and smoking paraphernalia. Smoking was observed in 11 percent of outdoor seating areas and in 5 percent of waiting areas. There was no smoking observed at all in more than 95 percent of the surveyed establishments.

“Overall, the survey indicates that compliance with the law is high,” said Jean Chabut, deputy director of Public Health Administration fro the state.

“Business owners and patrons are following the requirements of the law, and as a result Michigan workers are protected from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke exposure.”