Click here for Smoke Free Bowling Center Environment Information
To: Interested Parties in the Bowling Community
From: Roger Philipi, President, Bowling Centers Association of Michigan “A BPAA State Affiliate”and the Smoking Task Force for Bowling Centers
Concerning: Smoking Ban Status
As many of you know, last year the BCAM commissioned a Smoking Task Force. This task force is comprised of members from the USBC Michigan Men’s Association, the USBC Michigan Women’s Association and the USBC Michigan Youth Association, as well as bowling center proprietors from around the state.
The Task Force has come to several conclusions based upon feedback from centers, bowlers and interested parties. The Task Force is asking each association and center to adopt a unified position on the potential Smoking Ban being proposal. The Task Force recognizes the State’s desire for a ban. However, the timing of the law and the wording of the law are critical.
The Task Force feels strongly that the following are items should be included and stressed in our unified position on the potential Smoking Ban:
- Foreclosures, job losses and market volatility are already hurting recreational spending including bowling. Shouldn’t getting Michigan more jobs and retaining those jobs already in existence be a top priority? Multiple bowling centers have already closed in the state over the past few months due to the economy. We ask that the legislature please suspend action on this proposed Smoking Ban until the economic problems stabilize in the state.
- If the Smoking Ban is adopted, we ask that there be no exceptions to the law. Therefore, no safe havens. If it interrupts business, we ask that everyone be on the same playing field.
- If the Smoking Ban is adopted, we ask that careful consideration be given to the distance from the building in which smoking is allowed. We as business owners would like to avoid seeing our guests standing in the middle of parking lots or in awkward areas.
- If the Smoking Ban is adopted, we ask that careful consideration also be given to the fact that holding the proprietors liable for keeping the customers the required distance away from the building while they smoke will create additional friction and bad will between the proprietors and their customers.
- If the Smoking Ban is adopted, we ask that the law be enacted no sooner that one year after passage in order to get all businesses acclimated to the change. We also ask that the ban take effect during the winter months so that league bowlers can get used to the change, rather than implementing the ban during the summer months when league bowlers may choose not to return.
The Task Force asks that all state and local associations adopt and take action on this position by contacting your Senator and/or Representative. Forward your comments to them as soon as possible. Feel free to use any portion of this memo. A letter, phone call, or email really does get action. Go to www.mich.gov for the list of Senators and Representatives.
Please ask them to remember that bowling is a viable business and the members of this industry need to be heard. We alI appreciate our leaders in government and we understand how difficult their jobs are these days. However, we still need for them to hear our concerns.
This document can “assist” bowling centers and associations in preparing for these changes.
Roger Philipi
President, Bowling Centers Association of Michigan
www.michiganbowl.com
37485 Schoolcraft Road
Livonia, Michigan 48150
1.734.516.5073 Cell Phone
Rphilipi @aol.com |
