Where Nobody May Smoke
MCL 333.12603 — the Dr. Ron Davis Law: no smoking in a public place, and what the owner does
The rule. An individual does not smoke in a public place or at a meeting of a public body, and the person in control of a public place makes a reasonable effort to prohibit it.
- The person in control clearly and conspicuously posts no smoking signs, or the international no smoking symbol, at the entrances and in every area where smoking is prohibited.
- The person in control removes all ashtrays and other smoking paraphernalia from those areas.
- The person in control informs an individual smoking in violation that it is against state law and subject to penalties, refuses service where applicable, asks the individual to stop, and if they continue, asks them to leave.
Lodging. The owner or operator of a hotel, motel or other lodging facility follows the same steps, and has an affirmative defense if it made a good faith effort by doing so and sets out its efforts in a sworn affidavit.
Cannabis smoking, local ordinances that go further, rules in rental leases, and how a complaint is made and enforced are outside this page. Whether a particular place falls inside an exception is a question for a licensed Michigan attorney or the agency that enforces the law.
Sources for this section (1)
- MCL 333.12603 — Smoking in public place prohibited; duties of owner or operator; Dr. Ron Davis Law
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Michigan attorney.