Editorial: Fresh air's coming to more Minnesotans

Statewide workplace smoking ban offers impetus to quit.

Last update: September 29, 2007 - 6:09 PM

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THEY'VE BEEN THERE

"Don't stop because of the hype. Don't stop because I stopped. Don't stop because of all the ads. Stop because you really want to."

"You have two choices. You can smoke, or quit. Suck wind, or breathe easy. Do you like to be controlled by 4 inches of rolled up cancer? I thought not."

Advice from two QuitNet members. See www.quitplan.com.

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Think about a great fall day in Minnesota. Maples are turning and cooler temps make you feel like taking a turn along the lake. The air is fresh; you just want to breathe in and savor it.

A special version of that day is upon us: Tomorrow, the first of October, is the first day of a smoke-free workplace for many Minnesotans. It won't be such a big deal in the metro area and in certain counties -- including Carlton, Beltrami, Meeker and Olmsted. But in most parts of this state, the ambiance is about to change in many a restaurant and bar.

As the Freedom to Breathe Act goes into effect, it also presents a natural time to kick the habit. Indeed, an increase in quitting has followed the institution of smoking bans elsewhere. Minnesotans are lucky to live in a state with ample and varied sources of help -- including an online community of ex-smokers, health experts and others.

That support is key. According to the U.S. Public Health Service, "Treatments involving person-to-person contact are consistently effective, and their effectiveness increases with treatment intensity (e.g., minutes of contact)." The website of ClearWay Minnesota, a nonprofit that is funded by the state's 1998 tobacco settlement, shows smokers a whole world of support. So does a federal website, www.smokefree.gov, which also has excellent links -- including some for smokers over 50, African-American smokers and so on.

Minnesotans chose to go smoke-free in piecemeal fashion -- city by city, county by county -- until this year. That means most of us have already adapted to the new world of smoke-free dining and imbibing. To those of you who'll join us tomorrow: Welcome to the fresh air.

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