International Falls Journal - Curtain call for smoking - Comments

I find it moderatly

Anton1965 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:03:01 -0600

I find it moderatly incredulous that a fellow member of the class of "65" would allow anyone to violate the state legislatures ban on smoking by allowing smoking in his place of business but I find it impossible to believe that whomever is in charge of our "Justice Center" would allow public space to be provided for employee smoking in the court house while attempting to administer justice that was fair and equal under the law. Now that I find hard to believe. Surly the county attorney or district attorney would not allow the "look of impropriatry" to devalue the business that is carried out in our court house!! I'll bet they have a "smoking Lounge" in the jail to sorta even things out is whats going on, that must be what it is.

Well Anton, you namer of

Icesicle — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:20:59 -0600

Well Anton, you namer of names (LOL) let's see how long before that comment is pulled. As you can read above the act says "workplaces, including bars and restaurants. Not just bars and restaurants. Go figure. I guess the law is selectively enforced. If segregated "smoking lounges" in workplaces are acceptable for one "workplace" why not ALL???

I think you have the right

kay — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:04:03 -0600

I think you have the right places!!!

I am not clear on what

Anton1965 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:02:14 -0600

I am not clear on what places you mean. Do you mean people are still smoking cigars at Northsound and cigarettes in the "court house" smoking lounge???

My post (above) did not post

Icesicle — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:43:18 -0600

My post (above) did not post in it's entirety. Don't know why...? I went on to say that the above was taken from the DJ article above. If the law is going to be enforced as stated (above) it should be enforced for ALL and not SOME.

The Freedom to Breathe Act

Icesicle — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:37:38 -0600

The Freedom to Breathe Act bans indoor smoking in workplaces, including bars and restaurants. It was signed by Governor Pawlenty in May 2007 and took effect October 1, 2007.

Maybe the MDH should get

Icesicle — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 10:21:41 -0600

Maybe the MDH should get some calls about a certain business in town where "smoking" occurs everyday and those entering that business (which is a workplace) are exposed to second hand smoke. Don't forget the one public service building (also a workplace) that has a designated smoking lounge in it. Why should there be ANY exceptions to the LAW? Equal enforcement of the law in this town is a joke.

Curtain call for smoking

Journal Staff — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:41:15 -0600

We empathize with bars attempting to survive in a tough business climate, but believe the Minnesota Department of Health is right when it says that theater nights do not fall within a legal exemption to the Freedom to Breathe Act.
We give local bar owner Rosie Klemetsen credit for looking for unique ways to give her establishment a boost, but perhaps circumventing state law wasn't the right way to go.
The Freedom to Breathe Act bans indoor smoking in workplaces, including bars and restaurants. It was signed by Governor Pawlenty in May 2007 and took effect October 1, 2007.