Members of the National Heritage Association, which represents more than 120 hookah bars in the state, say they hope for a legal opinion on whether they could allow the smoking of tobacco-free herbs in their hookah pipes under the tobacco-free law, and they may go to court to ask for an exemption from the ban.

Huh..  More power to em.  the article continues with some expected complaints:

"It's not equal rights to all citizens," said Mike Berry, president of the association and the owner of 360 Lounge and Grille, a Dearborn hookah bar.

Not equal rights..  Indeed..  Even if you get your exemption it will not be.  Some folks are more "right worthy" than others I suppose.  This pitiful legislation demonstrates a great deal of ignorance by our legislative manipulators, as well as indifference to the fairness of "equal protection under the law."

And the very reason some of these businesses thrive, is the mixture of culture and freedom offered in the marketplace. But...

The law bans smoking anywhere food or drink is served, and eating and smoking are part of the hookah bar tradition, Berry said. For people of Middle Eastern descent, the hookah bar is a gathering place for friends and family members at the end of the day.

"I go there at least three or four times a week," said Sami Bazzi, 25, of Dearborn, whose parents moved to the United States from Lebanon.

"It's very, very unfair for them to say we can't sit around and socialize and smoke a hookah."

Dang you Lansing!!!  I WANT MY HOOKAH!!!

Oh yeah, but I quit smoking years ago...  I guess then, I should assume no one else has the right to decide when and where they can consume a legal substance.  I mean.. If I'm not doing it, it must be wrong enough for me to force my will on others to comply with my choices.  

Right?

No.. this really is not about smoking, but rather the insistence of a little too much for-your-own-goodness that has little room for liberty, freedom of association, and common sense