Posted: 10/2/07
Minnesota is smoke free!
Hereís the facts and the law
By Charlie Warner
Argus Editor
This week, Monday, Oct. 1 to be exact, is when the Freedom to Breathe Act went into effect. The new law, which was approved by both houses of the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Tim Pawlenty on May 16 of this year, prohibits smoking in virtually all indoor public places and indoor places of employment.
In 1975, Minnesota became the first state to limit smoking in indoor workplaces, with the exception of bars.
Now, Minnesota has passed the Freedom to Breathe Act of 2007, a comprehensive smoke-free law covering indoor public places and workplaces, including bars and restaurants.
No smoking is allowed in bars, restaurants, private clubs or other workplaces.
Smoking is permitted on outdoor patios, but can be regulated at the local level.
Smoking may occur in places of work and public places in the following locations or situations:
ï hotel and motel sleeping rooms,
ï tobacco products shops (for sampling purposes only),
ï certain family farms,
ï public transportation vehicles (when in personal use),
ï cabs of heavy commercial vehicles, farm vehicles and construction equipment (when used for intended purposes),
ï certain nursing home rooms,
ï certain rooms occupied by patients in locked psychiatric units,
ï peer-reviewed studies on the health effects of smoking,
ï traditional American Indian ceremonies,
ï the Disabled Veterans Rest Camp in Washington County and
ï theatrical productions (by actors only).
What is the Freedom
to Breathe Act?
Passed by the Minnesota Legislature and signed into law by Governor Pawlenty on May 16, 2007, the Freedom to Breathe Act is a statewide smoke-free law that brings fresh healthy air to all Minnesota workplaces including bars, restaurants and private clubs. When the law takes effect on Oct. 1, 2007, Minnesota will join the more than dozen states that have already gone smoke-free.
Why is protecting nonsmokers from secondhand smoke
so important?
Because secondhand smoke exposure causes disease and other serious health problems. Secondhand smoke exposure kills more than 500 Minnesotans each year and more than 66,000 Minnesotans visit their doctor because of illnesses caused by this exposure. Many Minnesotans are already protected from secondhand smoke at work - but not all. On Oct. 1, the Freedom to Breathe Act will extend protections to every worker and every workplace.
Bar and restaurant workers are the most heavily exposed workers to secondhand smoke, and have higher risks of cancer and heart disease because of this sustained exposure.
Where will smoking
be eliminated?
Inside public workplaces. The Freedom to Breathe Act will eliminate secondhand smoke from virtually all indoor workplaces in Minnesota with two or more employees or customers, including bars and restaurants. The law recognizes that everyone has the right to breathe clean, healthy, fresh air at work.
Where can people still smoke?
Outside. The Freedom to Breathe Act does not ban all smoking and focuses exclusively on indoor smoking inside of workplaces and work vehicles. Although local governments can make stricter laws, the new state law permits smoking outside on restaurant patios or on the outside sidewalk. People are free to smoke in their own private homes and cars.
What should I do if I see someone smoking where they shouldnít?
Because they are so popular, smoke-free laws tend to enforce themselves. The vast majority of people smoking where they should not are simply unaware of the law. Business owners and managers are responsible to remind their smoking workers and customers of the law. If you see someone smoking, tell the manager on duty or wait a minute - theyíll probably see it too and offer a gentle reminder of the law. Thank them when they do.
Local law enforcement has the authority to issue petty misdemeanor citations to proprietors or individuals who refuse to respect the law.
The Minnesota Department of Healthís Freedom to Breathe website features a downloadable letter you can use to report lack of compliance in a particular business. You can find the letter at www.health.state.mn.us/freedomtobreathe/.
Caledonia Argus
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507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com