Annotation #8

Statewide smoking ban looks more likely; With a new DFL majority, advocates are optimistic, while opponents seek to limit impact

Star Tribune

Mark Brunswick

Minnesota is close to banning smoking in bars and restaurants. Law-makers believe that they may have enough votes to get a smoking ban passed. Even people who once were against a smoking ban are now accepting it. Bar owners are not very optimistic about this idea however. But more and more major cities in Minnesota are favoring smoking bans in bars and restaurants. Supporters of a ban say this is because of the Surgeon General's report that said that even brief exposure to secondhand smoke is a health hazard. It is believed that this subject will bring up a lot of controversy over the next year. More people that favor smoking bans are being elected into the House of Representatives.

Annotation #7

Why ban smoking in restaurants and other workplaces?

Michigan Smoke-Free Dining and Workplace Petition Drive

There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke. Even brief exposure has health effects, including a greater risk of developing heart disease or lung cancer. Ventilation systems do not eliminate secondhand smoke. The only thing that does this is a smoke-free environment. Many non-smokers die every year from heart disease and lung cancer caused by secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke contains many poisons. A smoking employee costs the employer $1,000 a year. Bar and restaurant workers are more at risk of dying from lung cancer. Brief exposure to secondhand smoke greatly increases the risk of a heart attack. No studies show a bad economic impact of smoking bans. Some show that smoking bans actually improve business. By allowing smoking in their businesses, restaurant owners pay many expenses. Ventilation systems help reduce smoking odors, but not secondhand smoke's health dangers.

Annotation #6

Lighters Out; A year later, progess on smoking bans

The Washington Post

Washington, D.C. Mar. 28, 2007

Maryland and Virginia law-makers voted down some smoking bans in restaurants and bars. However, about a month later, the bans were looked on more favorably. Maryland will soon be putting up a ban, and Virginia is also considering a smoking ban. Maryland's ban consists of banning smoking in bars and restaurants. In Virginia, the Governor proposed a bill that required businesses to put up a notice that told customers whether or not smoking was allowed. It also banned smoking in restaurants and bars. Some law-makers are opposed to this bill. Smoking bans have proved to make employees healthier and restaurants more pleasant and lively. Advanced ventilation systems are not good enough for removing secondhand smoke.

Annotation #5

American Lung Association: As Other States Move Forward, Minnesota's Grade Drops in Annual Tobacco 'Report Card'

PR Newswire. NY

Jan. 9, 2007

A report by the American Lung Association said that Minnesota is falling behind other states in four areas related to tobacco. Minnesota scored a C in tobacco program funding. Their grade was at a B last year. Minnesota scored an F for smoke-free air. This is the grade we have earned for 5 years in a row. We earned a C for youth access policies and a C for cigarette taxes. These other grades have stayed the same since last year. The report also estimated the economic cost of smoking in Minnesota to be $2,743,123,000. Minnesota used to protect nonsmokers and smokers from secondhand smoke by passing a Clean Indoor Act, but now there is hardly any money going out to help Minnesotans quit smoking. We are falling behind other states with smoke-free laws.

Annotation #4

Secondhand Smoke Debate 'Over'

Liz Szabo

USA Today

A report from the U.S. surgeon general says that non-smoking sections and good ventilation systems do not help. He says that secondhand smoke is a health hazard and smoking bans are the only way to protect non-smokers. Even though many states and cities have smoke-free laws, there are still many Americans that are exposed to secondhand smoke. The surgeon general also said that nonsmokers who are around secondhand smoke increase their risk for heart disease and cancer. His report also said that many children are exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes. The surgeon general claimed that smoke-free laws to do not hurt business for bars and restaurants. Tobacco companies disagree, but the truth is that bartenders, waiters and waitresses are exposed to high levels of secondhand smoke and are at a high risk for certain diseases.

Annotation #3

Activists Continue Smoke-Free Push

Reno Gazette-Journal

Martin Griffith

More than half of Americans live in a city or state with laws that require workplaces, restaurants or bars to be smoke-free. It is becoming more and more common. It is believed that the Surgeon General's report is fueling the push against public smoking. His report said that even a few minutes of inhaling another person's smoke harms nonsmokers. It is proven that separate smoking sections are not offering enough protection for nonsmokers. Even the biggest tobbaco states are now considering smoking bans. However, not everyone smiles upon the idea of smoking bans. Some business owners believe that smoking bans would cause them to lose customers and profits. Some other people say that a smoking ban is unconstitutional. Supporters back up those oppositions by saying that from what they have read, smokers keep going to bars and restaurants even after smoking is banned. This means that businesses would not lose very much business due to a smoking ban.

Annotation #2

Respirable Particles and Carcinogens in the Air of Delaware Hospitality Venues Before and After a Smoking Ban

Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine

September 2004

Repace, James MSc

There are many risks of indoor air pollutants. Some of these risks include respiratory disease, cancer, heart disease, and strokes. These risks could be greatly reduced through smoke-free laws. There were some tests done in some public places that allowed smoking. Measurements were made of the particles in the air to see how much air pollution secondhand smoke accounted for. Test results showed that a very high percentage of the air had pollution caused by secondhand smoke. These tests showed the danger that workers and customers faced everyday. Smoke-free laws would end this problem.