[Mpls] Smoke-Free Cities Already Possible

[Tim Neuenschwander]

In regards to making the bars and restaurants in the Twin Cities smoke-free, as far as I know, that option already exists. As it stands, any bar or restaurant owner can identify their establishment as smoke-free, with simply the risk of scaring smokers away from their business. This was pretty much the case when I visited a friend in Santa Cruz, Calif. There was an ordinance banning smoking in bars and restaurants, but those who wanted to smoke knew which businesses would turn a blind eye to their habit. Since the city was pretty much willing to do the same, there was no need to waste time and money with bureaucracy on passing the no-smoking clause. For the same reason, the Twin Cities' governments should avoid dedicating their resources to an issue of this nature and should leave the decision up to individual business owners. That way, any downfall in their profits can be attributed to their own decision as opposed to a city-ordered mandate.

Tim Neuenschwander
Marcy-Holmes



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