Why a Flint Bar’s Old School Cigarette Machine is Actually Legal

This month marks 15 years since smoking was outlawed at bars, restaurants and businesses here in Michigan. The Michigan Smoke Free Law DHD2 was implemented on May 1, 2010.

Prior to that, food service establishments and workplaces offered smoking sections and designated smoking areas. You would also see a lot of ashtrays, electrical smoke-eaters and cigarette vending machines.

The Rise and Fall of Cigarette Vending Machines

Cigarette vending machines were the brainchild of American William Rowe almost 100 years ago back in 1926. Although the machines were at their peak in 1980, concerns began to grow over the ability for minors to buy cigarettes because these machines didn't check your ID before completing a sale.

The same year that the Michigan Smoke Free Law went into effect, a national ban on cigarette vending machines was put in place with the exception of adult-only facilities. So in 2010, these machines were no longer legal in bars, restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores, etc.

How Can a Working Cigarette Machine be Legal at a Flint Restaurant?

When we got word that there was a working cigarette machine at the Soggy Bottom Bar in Flint, Michigan we were curious as to how it's legal for the machine to be operating. After all, the restaurant serves all ages until 7:00 P.M.

So how are they getting away with it?  This cigarette vending machine dispenses art... not cigarettes. Cigarette-sized boxes weighted properly with a piece of wood contain all types of artwork provided by local Flint artists. So next time you're in the Soggy Bottom Bar, you can use this machine, support local artists and not end up with lung-cancer. I got my wife two pair of earrings for just five bucks.