What Being Smoke Free Means to Me: Life in Minnesota After the Ban

Just 2 weeks ago, Minnesota joined on as the 20th state in the country that passed a Freedom to Breathe Act. This law states that there cannot be smoking in places of employment. This includes all restaurants and bars.

While many believed this would kill tourism and businesses would lose money, many places have seen the opposite effect. According to www.breatheeasyminnesota.com, Minneapolis experienced a 10.7% rise in food sales- which was up from previous years. Bars have installed outdoor decks, or patios for those who smoke. Smoke Sheds have been removed from workplaces, and the areas where you can smoke has become limited.

One of the biggest complaints that is being said is that people should be allowed to smoke wherever and whenever they want to. If a person doesn't like to be around smoke, they can leave. And the other one that is being said is that "No one forces people to work in bars". While those both may be compelling arguments, it still doesn't reflect the true feeling of those who just want to enjoy them selves outside without having to smell like trash afterwords.

I have no problem with smokers. I am a non smoker and don't mind if people do smoke, as long as it is not in my house or around my children. I feel strongly that smoking should be left outside, if that. I do not believe that it should be allowed indoors. If you need a smoke break that bad, just go outside. Don't make it hard for everyone else to live and breathe just so you can get your next nicotine fix.

Going out in the past i really did not enjoy. I would get all dressed, put my best perfume on and head out. I knew there was going to be smoking, and i never complained about it. The only real problem that I had was just how horrible i would smell when returning home. I would have to run downstairs to the laundry and immediately throw the clothing I had on into the wash machine and then rush upstairs and take a shower before i got the smell in the house. I could not imagine falling asleep on a pillow that smelled like an ashtray. While this was inconvenient, it was something you learned to deal with when you went out.

Since the change happened, I have really enjoyed myself going out. There are more people out, having the same amount of fun, and doing the same things, minus smoking. There is no longer any need to run to my basement. I smell just fine when i come home. And my perfume- well I can still smell it when i get home. When my family goes out to eat, we no longer have to be restricted to places like McDonald's or those type of places. We can go down to the local sports restaurant since they have a great menu and we aren't worried about our kids getting sick from the smoke.

This weekend is the SCSU Homecoming Weekend. At noon today we had hundreds of college kids downtown hanging out at the bars. All the smokers were posted outside about 50 feet from every entrance but the bars themselves were packed, and everyone was having fun. Not too many people have complained and it really hasn't changed much since it changed over to non smoking.

Not being able to smoke in public places really isnt a bad thing. I support it 100%. I am glad the Freedom to Breathe Act passed here in Minnesota and hope that those states who havent already joined in this movement to do so very soon.

Happy Breathing!