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Starting October 1st 2007 the state of Minnesota became smoke free in virtually all indoor spaces. Indoor spaces are defined as an area with 4walls a ceiling, and more than 50% of the vertical plane are a solid wall free of windows or doors. The new regulations are provisions to the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act. The provisions are designed to protect workers from the harmful and deadly effects of second hand smoke. In Minnesota each year, an estimated 581 lives are lost to secondhand smoke, and more than 66,000 people are treated for painful illnesses and diseases caused as a result of exposure to the toxic chemicals in smoke. The surgeon general in 2006 stated that there are no “safe” levels of second hand smoke. Considering that there are more than 4,000 chemicals released from each cigarette that is lit, with many of those chemicals being carcinogenic. Listed below are links related to the Freedom to Breathe provisions. www.Freshairmn.org
has many resources, including the law, resources related to quitting smoking.
Tools for business owners to help with implementation, information on why this
is such a great step for the health of our community, as well as links to the
commercial spots that are aired on TV, and radio. The Minnesota Department of Health has created this webpage
to provide information on how the law will regulate many different businesses,
as well as the
Compliance Assistance letters for the public, so if you witness smoking in
an establishment and the owner does nothing to stop the act. You can send in
this letter anonymously and actions will take place to help the establishment
come into compliance. Grassroots Solutions is an organization whom over the last
few years has been strong advocates for the Freedom to Breathe movement. They
provide information on implementation as well as information on why the law is
necessary and productive.
Assistance in quitting smoking may be found at (none of these websites are approved by ICPH): http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/index.htm http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=22931
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Send mail to
matt.holida@co.isanti.mn.us with
questions or comments about this web site.
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