--- Tom & Elsa Thompson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: "Now that Minneapolis and Bloomington have passed smoking bans, let stop in St Paul and study the effects that this will have. Let's see if business goes up or down. Let's see if employees from areas without a ban flock to work in the cities with a ban. Let's see if tourism is affected by the ban."
This completely ignores the reason for banning smoking in the first place; the health of workers and patrons. One would think from reading sentiments like the above that the only factor worth considering is the financial well-being of bar and restaurant owners. In case anyone needs reminding, the Helena, MT experience with a smoking ban is that it dramatically cut the number of heart attacks in that city almost immediately. How many preventable heart attacks would we have in St. Paul during an 18 month moratorium period?http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/04/01/health/main547249.shtml Now that Bloomington and Minneapolis have removed the argument that St. Paul would lose business by being the only municipality in the metro area to ban smoking, there is no justification for delay. The city council should pass, and Mayor Kelly should sign, a comprehensive ban at the earliest opportunity. Charlie Swope Ward 1 _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
