ESCANABA - Michigan lawmakers have yet to pass a workplace smoking ban because they haven't agreed on whether to grant exceptions to bars, restaurants and casinos, but the bill may be forthcoming. Local restaurant and bar owners weighed in on the debate, saying they are largely against the move to non-smoking.

Becky Moody, co-owner of Hereford & Hops in downtown Escanaba, said she is not in favor of a smoking ban.

"(I believe) that if it went smoke-free, even if it were a level playing field, we would see a drop in business. I just don't think having bars and restaurants totally smoke-free is good for business," said Moody. "As long as smoking is a legal activity, I would like to be able to provide an environment for my customers to smoke in."

Steve Hackleman, co-owner of Ernie's Pub in downtown Escanaba, said personally, he is for the change. But professionally, he doesn't like the idea of more government interference.

"The way I think about it is, I don't smoke so I like the idea. But probably 80 percent of our customers do smoke," said Hackleman. "Really, I don't think it's right for them to tell a business that they have to be non-smoking."

Judi DeGrand, owner of Catmando's in downtown Escanaba, said she is also personally for, and professionally against the ban. She said her customers have varying opinions on how the ban will effect their habits.

"We hear everything from customers amongst them when they talk about it. Some say they'll hang out at home and smoke in the garage and drink a beer. But I think if they want to come out and visit with their friends, they're going to come in anyway," said DeGrand.

DeGrand said the problem may arise with people coming and going in and out to smoke.

"The bad thing is that it's going to be harder for us to watch our door. We already have to have someone watching the door so people don't walk out with drink, but people will be absentmindedly walking out with a drink," said DeGrand. She explained that the customer and the bar are fined if a patron is caught walking out with a drink.

Hackleman added if the bill eventually comes through, Ernie's will adapt to the change.

"If and when that was the case we would come up with an outside, covered area for our customers to smoke in. We would get permission to (build a structure where) somebody can walk outside and still drink while they're smoking and then come back inside," he said. "The smokers are paying the bills so you cater to them."

Moody said one out of every four guests at Hereford & Hops is a smoker.

"(If I didn't allow smoking), 25 percent of my business would go somewhere else," she said. With regard to Michigan law, she said she would have to go along with it, "as long as they keep the playing field level."

What Moody was alluding to was the fact the only casinos the state of Michigan has control over are the ones in Detroit. The Island Resort & Casino lies on the Hannahville Indian Reservation, and has no ban on smoking in workplaces.

"The casino is under federal, not state, (law) and they would have smoking. That would hurt all the local businesses, not just mine," said Moody.

DeGrand said she thought businesses should be able to make their own rules, and said the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA) is working hard in getting bar owners to write to their congressmen opposing the bill.

"MLBA works closely with bar owners throughout the state, letting them know where the bill is... and they spend a good portion of their money trying to eliminate any law so that bar owners have the right to choose how their business is run," said DeGrand. "We follow it closely, especially with this new smoking ban."

A proposal calling for a comprehensive ban with no exemptions failed Sept. 23 in the Michigan House. It fell six votes short of the 56 votes needed for approval in the 110-member chamber.

That means a stalemate remains in place, and restaurants and bars can continue setting their own rules, and Moody said she will continue to offer smoking and non-smoking sections in her restaurant.

"I don't think any of my guests who are non-smokers ever have a problem with smoke here," said Moody. Hereford & Hops has grill fans that circulate air beyond what many common smoke-eaters do.

Advocates of a smoking ban have been trying to get a measure passed into law for about a decade, saying it would make Michigan a healthier state.

The Democrat-led House previously passed legislation that would ban smoking at restaurants and bars but carves out exemptions for Detroit casinos, smoke shops and other businesses. The Republican-led Senate has passed legislation to ban smoking at all workplaces with no exemptions. Current state law won't change unless both chambers agree on the same version of legislation.

Some lawmakers said they opposed the bill because it would ban smoking at Detroit casinos, which compete with tribal-run casinos that would not be subject to state law. They said that could hurt Detroit casino revenues, some of which go to support public schools.

Some lawmakers say they are against imposing more regulations on restaurants and bars, which already can choose to go smoke-free if they want. Other lawmakers want exemptions for smoke shops or other businesses that revolve around tobacco use.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm said in late September she would sign either the full ban or a ban with ''reasonable'' exceptions.

More than 30 states have adopted some type of a workplace smoking ban, although some exempt bars, restaurants and casinos.