House approves resolution urging facility authority to include sections in plans

The Michigan House this week approved state Rep. Beau LaFave’s call for the Michigan Veterans’ Facility Authority to include designated smoking areas in upcoming state veterans’ homes.

In 2016, the Michigan Veterans’ Facility Authority was established and provided with $42 million in state funds to support the construction of new veterans’ homes. The authority is in the final planning stages for facilities in Grand Rapids, Green Oak Township and Chesterfield Township – none of which have designated smoking areas included in current plans.

LaFave’s resolution urges the authority to include enclosed, climate-controlled smoking sections in each home’s blueprints before it is too late. LaFave said the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette has had a specified smoking area for many years and the new homes should replicate it.

“We are urging the authority to include designated smoking areas at the new veterans’ homes so more veterans will choose to get the care they deserve and need,” said LaFave of Iron Mountain, who chairs the House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee. “Without designated smoking areas, a large population of veterans who smoke might feel as though they are not welcome at these facilities. The government is to blame for getting our military heroes addicted to cigarettes through c-rations. Now that it’s known cigarette usage is unhealthy, without plans for smoking areas in the new homes, we are essentially telling them ‘too bad.’ That’s not right. It’s best we provide continuity within the construction of the new homes to ensure our veterans have the peace of mind knowing they don’t have to change lifestyles.”

House Concurrent Resolution 3 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.