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Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Governor makes smoking ban official

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posted by Bob at Wednesday, May 16, 2007

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Blogger Bob said...

Pawlenty makes state-wide smoking ban official
BY RACHEL E. STASSEN-BERGER
Pioneer Press
Article Last Updated: 05/16/2007 02:25:55 PM CDT


Smoking ban
Do you support the statewide smoking ban?
Yes
No
No opinion


Now, it's a law.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty today signed an anti-smoking law to forbid lighting up in the state's bars, restaurants, bingo halls and nearly all other public areas.

Pawlenty praised lawmakers and advocates who worked for the ban as passionate, visionary and courageous.

"This is something whose time has come. We will look back on the legislation...and say, 'of course,'" Pawlenty said surrounded by those who have fought for the ban. "It will be an 'of course' moment."

The governor signed the law on the patio of an Eagan restaurant and bar, where smoking could actually still be allowed once the law goes into effect in October. Under the new law smoking would only be barred inside such venues.

The law leaves it to local governments to decide how to regulate outside air.

Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire, who also does Media Advocacy for the Midwest Division of the American Cancer Society, said his city is unlikely to move to ban smoking on bar and restaurant patios.

Rachel E. Stassen-Berger can be reached at rstassen-berger@pioneerpress.com

9:13 PM  

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