Michigan Legislature Passes Smoking Ban That will Become Law

The Michigan Restaurant Association Press Release:

In a December 14, 2009 Press Release The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) put out a press release indicating that Michigan Legislature Passed a smoking ban in Michigan restaurants.  The Senate passed the bill on Thursday, December 10^th which will prohibit smoking in ALL public places, including bars and restaurants, in the State of Michigan.  The state House of Representatives quickly followed suite and the bill made its way to the desk of Gov. Jennifer Granholm for a signature.

This new law will ban smoking in a wide range of public places and covers all bars and restaurants as well as all public and private workplaces.  Casino gaming floors, cigar bars, tobacco specialty retail shops, home offices and commercial trucks are the only exemptions to this ban which will take effect on April 30, 2010.

During Senate consideration of this legislation, The MRA successfully added important amendments to significantly reduce the regulator burden of this new law on Michigan Bars and Restaurants.  The MRA amendment covered the following areas:

• ·         Written non-smoking policy – The MRA amendment eradicated the necessity for a written non-smoking policy.
• ·         Enforcement – Enforcement of the original bill would allow the health department to enforce fines for both individuals and establishment owners for violations.  The MRA amendment allowed for the health department to enforce the law on both individuals and owners but limited fines to individuals.
• ·         Civil lawsuits – The MRA amendment removed the option for civil action by individuals against food service establishments that violate the act.
• ·         Rule-making authority – Further smoking-related rule making for food service establishments was eliminated by amendment.
• ·         Revocation of license –The MRA amendment removed the possibility of a food service establishment having its health license revoked, forcing permanent closure of the restaurant or bar for non-compliance.
• ·         Pre-emption of even tougher local ordinances -  The MRA amendment pre-empted the right of local governments to add additional workplace smoking ordinances that are more stringent and punitive than the original legislation.
• ·         Affirmative defense for operators – If establishments post “no smoking” signs, remove all ashtrays and smoking paraphernalia, and inform any individual smoke that his or her action is unlawful, any citation against said establishment will be dismissed.
• ·         Effective Date – The MRA amendment clarified that this new legislation will take effect on April 30, 2010, since the original bill had no explicit effective date.

There are still many questions surrounding this new legislation.  The Michigan Restaurant Association wants to help its members understand the new law. Members are invited to contact the MRA with any questions or concerns they have about the new smoking ban.  Call Andy at 800.968.9668. 

*Source: The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) website www.michiganrestaurant.org.  The original press release can be read by following this link http://www.michiganrestaurant.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=1101.

How the Internet Has Changed the Way People Dine

A 2009 Google study revealed that a staggering 90% of diners use internet sites to search for restaurants.  That fact shows a 32% increase from last year alone.  Just think of the implications of that study.  How are restaurants advertising in Michigan?  Print media?  Radio?  Television?  Billboards?  Are these restaurants completely missing the boat?

The Google study broke down these statistics further regarding how these diners are actually using the internet to complete these restaurant searches.  80% of diners use search engines to decide where to eat.  Think about that fact for a second.  80% of diners use search engines to decide where to dine; therefore, if a Michigan restaurant isn’t showing up in a search engine, 80% of diners aren’t finding them.

52% of diners go online searching for coupons and specials.  52% of diners aren’t looking for coupons in the mail; they’re not looking for coupons in the newspaper and they’re not listening to radio advertising to hear about a restaurants’s specials and events.  In other words, your coupons, events and specials must be on the internet to be found by 52% of diners.

22% of diners use the internet to sign up for loyalty clubs.  19% of diners will go online to participate in contests and 19% of diners will purchase restaurant giftcards online.

This Google study is the perfect example of why www.miflavor.com is such an incredibly perfect match for any restaurant in Michigan.  Michigan flavor does all the work for you.  Michigan flavor will help your restaurant get seen in search engine results.  Your coupons can be downloaded and printed directly from your michigan flavor restaurant page and your daily specials and events are not only listed on your restaurant page but are searchable as well.

www.miflavor.com links directly to a restaurant’s website so users can easily opt in to loyalty programs, participate in contests and even purchase gift cards.  Michigan flavor encompasses every point made by this very relevant Google study.

Interested in learning about how to get your restaurant’s enhanced listing on miflavor.com?  Visit the website or call 248.302.2738.  Get the best bang for your advertising buck.

*source: google.com