Public Places and Work Spaces

Creating a Safer, Healthier Community

Secondhand smoke exposure has dropped dramatically in Minnesota in recent decades thanks to the 1975 Clean Indoor Air Act and the 2007 Freedom to Breath Act, which added protections for employees and patrons at restaurants, bars and other workplaces. Still, some Minnesota residents continue to be exposed to secondhand smoke because of where they live or work.

Feeling Good MN is working with local, county, and state agencies to raise awareness of the benefits of offering tobacco-free public place and work space options.

Know the Facts

Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke is smoke from burning tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. Secondhand smoke is also smoke that is exhaled by a person who is smoking. This smoke contains over 700 chemicals, including nearly 70 that cause cancer.

Secondhand smoke exposure kills approximately 45,000 Americans each year. It causes stroke, lung and other cancers, and coronary heart disease in adults. Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, more severe asthma, respiratory symptoms, and slowed lung development.

Secondhand/Thirdhand Smoke Fast Facts:

• Secondhand smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, including nearly 70 known to cause cancer.
• Secondhand smoke is a known cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), potentially fatal respiratory infections, frequent and severe asthma attacks, and ear infections.

E-Cigarette Vapor

E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices used to inhale a heated vapor of nicotine, flavoring and other dangerous chemicals. More than half of all Minnesotans live in communities that prohibit their use wherever smoking is already prohibited.

At Feeling Good MN we believe it’s time to protect all Minnesotans in restaurants, bars and other workplaces not yet covered by regulations prohibiting e-cigarette use in those places.

A poll conducted by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota in February of 2014 found that Minnesotans strongly support e-cigarette restrictions in public places—79% responded that they support prohibiting e-cigarette use in places where smoking is already prohibited.

Recent changes to Minnesota law prohibit e-cigarette use in public schools, hospitals, clinics and government-owned buildings, including city and county buildings. It also includes licensed daycare facilities during hours of operations.