Smoking ban takes effect

Publication Date: 2007-10-02

• Author:Alyssa Kroeten
• Publication:The Minnesota Daily

One thing is conspicuously absent from the dimly lit bars and restaurants of Minnesota: smoke.

The Minnesota Freedom to Breathe Act became effective yesterday, prohibiting smoking in almost all indoor public places, to protect the public and employees from the hazards of secondhand smoke. It is an expansion of the current Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act which affects businesses such as restaurants, bars and private clubs.

University businesses were already operating under the Minneapolis "No Smoking" Ordinance since March 31, 2005, which also prohibits smoking in bars and restaurants.

Grandma's Saloon & Grill said the citywide ban had little effect on business because most people smoked outside, retail manager Chris Lund said.