Public health lauds Senate’s approval of smoking ban

By Matt Bewley | The Daily Journal

Published Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Fairness dictated a strict smoking ban, according to Sen. Dan Skogen (DFL-District 10A), who voted to approve the bill along with many of his fellow senators.

The Minnesota Senate voted 41-24 Tuesday to outlaw smoking in bars, restaurants, VFWs, American Legions, bowling alleys, country clubs and other workplaces starting Aug. 1.

DFL Sen. Kathy Sheran of Mankato, the bill’s sponsor, promised a “strong and unyielding” ban. Minnesota’s smoking ban has moved steadily through the legislative process this year, clearing most obstacles from its path.

“I think it’s strict out of the fairness issues,” Skogen said. “There were a couple attempts to include them in the tribal areas, but the federal government can weight in on that, we cannot.”

Diane Thorson, Otter Tail County public heath director, whose office failed in its attempt last year to pass a county-wide smoking ban, was pleased with the vote.

“We’re very pleased to see that it passed in the senate and are looking forward to it passing in the House,” she said. “It is one of the most effective public health measures to be adopted to protect people.”

According to Skogen, visitors to his office were split about even on the issue, while e-mail support was nearly 100 percent in favor of the ban. Those against included two large groups of small bar owners.

“They were especially concerned with the exemptions,” the majority whip said. “They were not in favor of any kind of a ban. They make a fair argument, based on a personal rights viewpoint. I took it from a health viewpoint, and those two don’t cross paths very well. I think if I can believe the studies I look at, there is going to be a slowdown of business, but many have shown a rebound. I think a shrewd business would anticipate a slowdown. Maybe they have money put away or are doing some advertising. I know change is a scary time, especially in the business world, but the way the senate passed the bill, it is equal across the state. It’s the same for everyone.”

The proposed bill now moves to hearings in the Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance committees. If it survives, it will go to the House floor for a vote.

The “Freedom to Breathe Act” would toughen Minnesota’s groundbreaking 1975 Clean Indoor Air Act by prohibiting smoking in virtually all enclosed public places, including taxis, transit terminals and even bus stop shelters, but would allow bars, restaurants and bingo parlors to build outdoor patios for smokers, without food or drink service.

Seventeen other states have passed smoking bans for most public places and workplaces, including bars and restaurants, according to the American Lung Association. Another four states have smoking bans with exemptions for bars.