I'm rooting for a little civil disobedience. Abu Ghraib isn't big enough to hold us all. Or maybe they'll just get a court order to starve us to death. But that's another story.
Dennis Tester Mac-Groveland
----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeanne Weigum" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 7:36 PM
Subject: [StPaul] Misinformation about tobacco ordinance
Today's Villager came out with a nice front page story about the upcoming smoking ban. Trouble is, many of the owners quoted do not seem to have read the ordinance or their mail. The two biggest errors are the belief that the ordinance goes into effect April 1 and if they have more than 50% liquor all they have to do is ask for the waiver and post a sign.
The ordinance goes into effect March 31. When business opens March 31, it must open smoke-free unless they have a waiver. Remarkably, every restaurant/bar in Ramsey County has received at least 3 or 4 mailings. Most places which are not already smoke-free also have received a hand delivered packet of information and a window cling that says on March 31 the place will be smoke-free. There seems to be a language barrier here!
The second problem is more complex. If a place has more than 50% alcohol sales they can apply for a waiver but it will only be granted if they meet numerous other qualifications such as floor to ceiling walls separating the bar from the food service area, separate ventilation systems (note, whole system here, not just an extra fan blowing out) negative air pressure, no juveniles ever enter the area, door that is closed except when someone is passing through. The only places which are pretty much assured a waiver are private clubs and places that serve no food or only pre-packaged food. Facilities which think they can allow smoking with no change other than the sign on the door may be in for a rather nasty surprise. But then, they may not have opened all that pesky mail they have been getting from the Health Department.
Bargain hunters, go to the ANSR web site to download lots of $2.00 off coupons for smoke-free restaurants. www.ansrmn.org
Jeanne Weigum, breathing easy in Merriam Park -- Jeanne Weigum 651-646-3005 fax 651-646-0142
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