From: Joe@smokefree.org
Date: Thu, 01/12/06
St. Paul (MN) Enacts Smokefree Workplace Law
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
Joseph W. Cherner
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the
world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
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