Forgive me for not quoting chapter and verse, but if you poke around the American Medical Association you'll likely find enough evidence on the harm of second hand smoke to fill our new library. As for the economic issues, I think objective evidence is unclear at this time, but I would be surprised if there were long-term negative affects. For every smoker that will stop going out, I'm sure there is a non-smoker that will start going out.
The larger issue, I think the most relevant, is that service workers are required to work in, what can best be called, a hazardous environment. When coal miners started dying of black lung, government started asking mines to take better care of their workers. I think there is long standing precedent. I would add though, that coal mining is still rough, we still do, and some workers are more than happy to mine coal. This is why I think we should follow New York City, not New York State, and permit some places for smoking. A finite number. Let bars bid for the smoking permits. Find a way to let smokers congregate. If service workers don't want to work in those conditions, they don't have to. Those who don't care have a place to have a smoke while they're on break. For my money, Minneapolis is still hung up on the adage, "whatever isn't mandatory is prohibited." Let a couple dozen bars stay open to smokers, ban it in the rest. Allow a little unhealthy freedom. Jeremy Wieland Northeast -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mike Skoglund Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2004 10:24 AM To: 'Minneapolis Issues' Subject: Re: [Mpls] Smoking ban in Minneapolis Quoting Laura Waterman Wittstock <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > On Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at 04:12 PM, WizardMarks wrote: > > > Jeremy Wieland wrote: > > > >> Given that there are smokers, and that smokers seek out smoking > >> environments, why not either pass an "all or nothing" ordinance, or > >> provide > >> for a finite number of "smoking establishments." > > > > WM: What about established restaurants whose business, built up over a > > couple of generations from virtually nothing to a restaurant that > > supports a family and provides 50+ jobs to the community. > > > WizardMarks, Central > > All smoking or some smoking in places where the public is served both > expose workers to environmental smoke, a liability for the owner and a > health risk for the workers. [...] Is anyone aware of law or precedent in Minnesota suggesting business owners are liable for injuries to employees or patrons caused by second- hand smoke? This seems like a pretty significant consideration. For that matter, given all the arguments that are flying around, are there definitive answers on (1) health risks of second-hand smoke; or (2) the effect of a smoking ban on various businesses. I've always assumed that second-hand smoke has some sort of dangerous effect, but I don't know for sure. I'd feel more comfortable advocating a change in law based on cancer risks than stinky overcoats. Regarding the second point, there seems to be a lot of controversy about this. Living in NYNY, the Mayor has argued that business is up since the ban went into effect, but others have responded that business in bars and restaurants is down. E.g.: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/public/press04/pr031-0329.html http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/18109.htm http://www.washblade.com/2004/4-23/view/columns/smokescreen.cfm http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/ny-bc-ct--smokingban0429apr28,0,1561558. story?coll=nyc-regionhome-headlines If the health problems are that serious (which should go to the liability issue) that would obviously outweigh the economic harm. But if these issues are murky, I think there should be much more discussion before the city considers a ban. Regards, Mike Skoglund // Financial District NYNY // Bancroft MPLS REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
