Lights Out for Smokers in Minnesota Bars and Restaurants

By Alison Gonzalez

Published on September 24, 2007

The Freedom to Breathe amendment to the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act, which is set to take effect at the beginning of October, will make it illegal for people to smoke in indoor public places throughout the state, including bars, restaurants, workplaces, stores, day cares and health centers. Those who violate the new law can be fined up to $10,000.

Health officials believe the new law will be implemented smoothly. Jane Korn, medical director for the state department of health, said the new and inclusive law will help employees and other individuals across the state breathe easier because they will know their health is not being compromised by smoke. Many nonsmokers will even see October 1st as a time to quit smoking altogether.

The legislation was created to protect people from the dangers of secondhand smoke, including lung cancer and other diseases. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no safe exposure level to secondhand smoke.

Almost 50,000 nonsmoking adults died from lung cancer and coronary heart disease in 2005 due to secondhand smoke. An estimated 430 newborns died from sudden infant death syndrome due to secondhand smoke the same year.

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