Published: January 12, 2006
St. Paul (MN) Enacts Smokefree Workplace Law
By Joseph W. Cherner
Mayor Coleman carries out campaign pledge by signing bill into law
St. Paul (MN) Councilman Dave Thune knows about tobacco addiction. He's been trying to quit smoking (unsuccessfully) for 30 years. But for the last two years, Thune has been a major supporter of St. Paul's smokefree workplace proposal.
Last year, Thune succeeded in getting enough votes to pass St. Paul's smokefree workplace proposal, but St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly vetoed it. In November, Kelly was voted out of office, partly due to his opposition of clean indoor air. In the meantime, twin-city Minneapolis overwhelmingly enacted a similar law.
Yesterday, Thune's constant battle for clean indoor air paid off. New Mayor Chris Coleman, who ran on the promise of supporting clean indoor air, carried out his campaign pledge. "Today, I will sign into law an ordinance that will strengthen protections for the health of workers and patrons. We know that secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and a leading cause of heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease and infant death. It would be wrong for us to stand back and do nothing."
"It is very important to recognize Councilmember Dave Thune and his peers on the City Council for their leadership on this issue. Their efforts, especially Dave's stewardship of this effort, have made the difference in passing this landmark ordinance that will protect the health of Saint Paul hospitality workers and level the playing field for all bars and restaurants across the city."
"Now that we have made this decision to move forward as a community, it will be my focus to do everything in my power to work with the business community to ensure a smooth transition to a smokefree Saint Paul. Now that the two largest cities in Minnesota join thousands of cities across the country with similar smokefree ordinances, I will work to urge the state legislature to take the next step and pass a statewide law."
For Thune, it's one battle down, one battle left to go. "Not a bad day," said Thune, as about 30 supporters gave him a standing ovation at a celebration at Dixie's on Grand after the vote.
Saint Paul joins other cities such as Minneapolis, Boston, New York, Dallas, San Francisco, and Los Angeles in passing smokefree workplace legislation.
To win smokefree air where YOU live, go to http://www.smokefree.net/alerts.php
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