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.

Annotation #1

Smoking Bans Become More Popular to Curb Effects of Secondhand Smoke

By: Pamela Brogan

Gannett News Service

Secondhand smoke is causing many states to pass bans on smoking. Governments are now learning the harsh effects of secondhand smoke and are concerned since many people are dying from heart-disease and lung cancer every year. Most of the public supports the decision to ban smoking in public places. However, some people are not pleased. Some smokers feel that smoking bans are a discrimination towards them. Even still, many bars, restaurants and workplaces are working to ban smoking. Some people believe the best solution would be to have smoking-only bars, which would not restrict smokers' rights.

Spring Break

My spring break was pretty fun. I basically just hung out with my friends the whole break. I went over to Brent's and hung out with DJ and Brent and Timmy mostly. We watched Super Troopers and Hide and Seek and they shot me with nerf guns. But then my parents found out that his parents were on vacation so I couldn't go over there anymore. So then I went over to Lauren Thayer's house and hung out with her and Amber and Sophie and Matt and Justin. We played Loaded Questions, which is basically the best game out there! Then Matt sprayed hairspray all over my hair and he made me name ten birds. After that, Lauren's brother Eric chased me around the house with a plunger. It was very...interesting. Friday was "family time" so my mom made me come with her and my sisters and grandparents to Vertical Endeavors where I went rock climbing and got blisters all over my hands. Saturday I hung out at my friend Sophie's house and we took pictures. Then we told her dad we were going to Burger King, but we really went and picked up Timmy Tran to go to Leann Chinns. That was an experience. Santa Clause was eating there and an ogre served us our food. Sunday there was this church meeting and my friends and I were eating lunch and we had these wraps from Roly Poly Sandwiches. There was a nasty green unidentified vegetable in my wrap and i almost gagged. Later on Sunday my friend Molly came over and hung out at my house.

Third trimester I am going to work really hard on my essay because I know how important it is for my grade. I didn't do so well on my last essay so I am going to do a lot of research and peer editing so that I can get a good grade.