As a physician, I want to help people live healthier and happier lives. Yet no matter how many patients I see in my lifetime, I will never make as big a difference in the health of Michigan citizens as our Legislature can by passing comprehensive smoke-free legislation.

Passing smoke-free legislation is the right thing to do to protect our citizens and help develop communities in which all residents can be healthy. Simply put, the choice to smoke should not come at the expense of compromised health for others.

We know smoke-free legislation will protect workers. We also know about 70% of smokers want to quit – and that being around other smokers makes it tougher to do so. If fewer people are exposed to second-hand smoke and more smokers who want to quit actually do, that will greatly impact Michigan’s physical and financial health.

Each year, Michigan businesses lose $3.8 billion due to smoking-related productivity loss and pay out $3.4 billion in health care costs directly related to illness caused by smoking. Michigan households are burdened with $637 annually in state and federal taxes from smoking-caused government expenditures.

Lawmakers need to realize that by passing smoke-free legislation, the State of Michigan, local businesses and taxpayers could save billions annually.

Repeated polling shows strong support for smoke-free legislation among Michigan residents. In fact, a poll conducted by Lansing-based EPIC/MRA and released in March found 66% of those interviewed favor smoke-free workplace legislation – and 52% “strongly favor” it.

This is not a political issue. This is not a partisan issue. It is a health issue. The evidence supporting smoke-free legislation continues to mount, as does public support. Yet Michigan remains on the sidelines while tobacco-producing states such as North Carolina and Virginia have taken action to protect their residents.

It is time for lawmakers to put the politics aside and pass smoke-free legislation in Michigan. It is the right thing to do.

–– Dr. Greg Holzman is chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Community Health.