Rain and Smoke Free State

Two good things happened in the last few days. The first thing is that we received RAIN. Much needed rain that helped the Gunflint Trail and Boundary Waters fire that was raging. Late Monday afternoon we had large hail with our rain. It did a number on our son’s Honda Accord, and his car is at an age where it won’t pay to fix. Poor Rob, he’s had a lot of car problems these last few months. Bob’s car was saved, as it was parked under our big tree. My car was in the parking ramp downtown, as I was still at work. Thank goodness!

The second great thing that happened is that yesterday our Governor signed our “Freedom to Breathe Act”, making Minnesota the 20th state to ban smoking in bars and restaurants. The Governor called it a “proud and good day for Minnesota”. For many years, many counties in Minnesota have worked on or passed smoking bans. St. Louis County has been working on one, but now that the state has passed this, our county will not have to continue. It makes more sense for the whole state to have the ban, rather than piece meal county bans. The ban covers all workplaces, bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, clubs. The states who have this already have found that it has not hurt business. In other states with smoking bans the overall volume of restaurants and hospitality industry generally has increased. Duluth has had a smoking ban on all restaurants for a few years, and it is so nice to sit and eat dinner without smoke, and without going home and smelling like smoke. The most important thing about this law is that it will bring tremendous health benefits. It will protect those that work in bars and restaurants from secondhand smoke that harms their lungs and bodies. This law is about health. The law goes into effect on October 1st. This law was in the making for 8 years, for all those who have worked on this, it was a long eight years, a lot ot hard work. All who worked on this and who are responsible for this law, are celebrating this week! We who like to breathe without smoke around us, thank them! If you were part if it, if you urged your legislature to support it, thank you. I did my part and I am happy for a healthier Minnesota!