Jan 16, 2008 10:08 am US/Central
Businesses Warned Of Smoking Ban Violations
(AP)
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The state is not conducting any sting operations to enforce the ban.
CBS
The first fine for violating Minnesota's statewide smoking ban went not to a rebel bar but to an Eden Prairie real estate office.
Minnesota R.E.O. Properties paid $1,000 after some smokers there did not heed a warning from health officials, who investigated after getting a complaint, said Richard Stanton, a real estate agent who helps run the office.
"We were reported for smoking in the office," Stanton said. "The smoking people came over. At that time they said, 'Look, we don't want you to do this. Post the signs, post the office or we'll fine you."'
Stanton posted the required signs, but authorities sniffed out a violation on a follow-up visit.
"They smelled smoke and said, 'You're smoking in here. We're going to get back to you.' They did with a letter and they fined us $1,000," Stanton said.
State health officials said most businesses are following the law, which prohibits smoking in most indoor workplaces with more than two employees. That covers bars, restaurants, American Legions and other private clubs, bowling alleys, country club lounges, hotel and motel lobbies, public transportation, taxis and more. Casinos on Indian-owned land are exempt.
Warning letters have gone out to 56 businesses -- ranging from bars to manufacturers, stores and other establishments, said Tom Hogan, a manager in the Health Department's environmental division. Seven cases are still under investigation.
Complaints are driving the investigations, Hogan said. Most come from employees reporting violations in their workplaces.
"We're not out there strolling the streets looking for violations of the law. We are responding to public concerns or complaints when we do receive them," he said.
Hogan added: "I would say we're mildly surprised at how well compliance has been."
Stanton, for one, is now a believer in the smoking ban. He said he's going to quit the habit because there's not enough time to run the real estate business and scoot outside to light up.
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Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of preventable death in the United
States. In 2005, it was estimated that, each year, exposure to
secondhand smoke in the United States kills more than 3,000 adult
nonsmokers from lung cancer and approximately 46,000 from coronary
heart disease.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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