As September began and the legislature returned from summer break, American Cancer Society volunteers from around the state gathered in Lansing, Michigan to remind legislators that it is time for all Michigan workers to be protected from secondhand smoke.

On Tuesday, September 16 at 12:30 p.m. nearly three hundred boisterous volunteers met at the Capitol rotunda and listened to speakers from around the state that included legislators, business owners, and medical experts.

Linda Burkett of Three Rivers, Michigan is the state Ambassador Constituent Team (ACT) lead for Michigan and a longtime ACS volunteer. "I thought the event was very informative and was presented very well." Linda said. "To me, it’s a no-brainer that Michigan should go smokefree."

Supporters of smokefree air heard from Dr. Greg Holman, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan, Dr. Larry Abramson, medical expert and smokefree air advocate, Senator Ray Basham, Representative Andy Meisner, Ashley Baracy, reigning Miss Michigan and smokefree advocate, Daniel Haberman, owner of the Bosco bar in Ferndale, Michigan, and Dr. Ron Davis, Immediate Past President of the American Medical Association and medical expert who has worked on tobacco issues for more than 30 years.

Many speakers shared personal stories, concrete statistics, and examples of why it is time for Michigan to go smokefree. Along with the speaker program, participants crowded into the House gallery in a move designed to encourage Speaker Andy Dillon (D - Redford Township) to allow a concurrence vote on House Bill 4163.

A little while later, some volunteers met with their members personally to urge them to act to protect the health of Michigan residents. Linda was one of them. "I thought it was an awesome event and that it had some impact. If you don’t get the message by now...something’s wrong. Michigan is behind on things. We need to get this done."

On September 23, the House voted on HB 4163. Although a majority of representatives voted in favor of the bill, it did not pass because there were not 56 votes in support, the minimum required for passage. However, there was a motion to reconsider the bill and it is possible the bill will be taken up again before the election.

The American Cancer Society will continue to work hard to make Michigan smokefree. If you want to get involved in this fight to make Michigan smokefree, call your American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345, or visit www.acscan.org.

Pictured: Volunteers rallying for smokefree air in Michigan (top right); Reigning Miss Michigan, Ashley Baracy speaks to volunteers and representatives (bottom right)