Michael to fight ban on smoking

AUBURN – A former state representative and candidate for governor is joining with a number of bar owners in an effort to overturn a new law that would ban smoking in bars and pool halls.

John Michael of Auburn has notified the Secretary of State’s Office of his intent to launch a “people’s veto,” an attempt to get voters to overturn the law in a referendum.

“I just don’t understand why certain types of people decide their morality needs to be pushed on everyone else in the world. We have enough government intervention in this country,” Michael said.

The law passed with broad support in the Legislature this session and was signed by Gov. John Baldacci this week. It is due to take effect Jan. 1, although it would be put on hold if opponents are able to gather the required 50,519 petition signatures by Sept. 12 to have the issue placed on a statewide ballot.

A vote in that referendum would most likely be held during the primary next June.

The law was passed in large part because without it, bar workers have to endure secondhand smoke in order to keep their job, said Dr. Dora Anne Mills, director of the state Bureau of Health.

Garnering the majority needed to overturn the law could be a challenge. Adult nonsmokers in Maine outnumber smokers three to one, Mills said.

But, Helen Huntley, owner of Ernie’s Pool and Darts on Forest Avenue in Portland, said many of her nonsmoking patrons also oppose the law. She said people who object to a smoky environment shouldn’t choose to be a bartender or waitress in a bar that allows smoking.

“It’s going to destroy my business,” she said. “At least 75 percent of my patrons smoke, and with the weather we have in the state they’re not going to tolerate going outside. When it’s cold and rainy they’re not going to bother coming in to shoot pool.”

Michael said he has met with several bar owners who are contributing money to the override effort so he will be able to hire petition circulators.