Board takes first move toward smoking ban

HIBBING -- St. Louis County commissioners may be a step closer to implementing a countywide smoking ban.

The County Board, in a meeting at Hibbing City Hall on Tuesday, moved a measure forward for discussion that could result in a countywide smoking ordinance that mirrors the Duluth smoking ban.

County commissioners, at their next committee-of-the-whole meeting in two weeks, will discuss a ban to eliminate smoking in restaurants and, eventually, bars.

The measure would again be reviewed in January at a board workshop before any public meetings.

Commissioner Steve Raukar of Kelly Lake moved the measure forward, with strong support from Commissioners Steve O'Neil and Bill Kron of Duluth.

Commissioner Dennis Fink of Duluth said he would support a county ordinance like Duluth's, but said language needs to be developed to address smoking at northern Minnesota resorts.

In two weeks, the county administration will have proposed language and potential dates for public hearings.

"What we're here to do as the health board of St. Louis County is to be concerned about the health of our citizens," said O'Neil, who for months has been pushing for a smoking ban. "It's just like the flu pandemic or methamphetamine use. When the U.S. surgeon general comes out and says that secondhand smoke is dangerous, we have the responsibility to protect our citizens."

Before the measure passed, Commissioner Keith Nelson of Fayal Township took issue, saying that a ban could shut down some rural establishments.

Nelson said the Duluth ordinance was written for a metropolitan area, not a rural area. Constituents have told him that they wouldn't object to a ban on smoking in restaurants, but not in serviceman's clubs or bars, Nelson said.

"You will close down the rural meeting places where people go to enjoy community," Nelson said. "Outside of Duluth, we don't have clubs, so people gravitate to these places. Be respectful of my district. Be respectful of greater St. Louis County."

Nelson also took aim at a recent News Tribune editorial that called for the county to act on a smoking ban.

After Raukar held up a copy of the editorial, Nelson sarcastically said, "You read that?" -- then apologized with a quick, "I'm sorry."

For months, the smoking ban issue has created debate within the seven-member board.

Some say that the state should take action. Others say that a regionwide policy should be created.

A public hearing would be required before an ordinance could be adopted, St. Louis County Attorney Alan Mitchell said.

Anti-smoking advocate Pat McKone is pleased that the board is taking steps to address secondhand smoke.

It also acts as the public health board, and it's the appropriate place for that discussion, said McKone, director for tobacco control for the American Lung Association.

"Secondhand smoke is a serious public health issue and it deserves a public policy response," she said, adding she was glad the board wasn't acting "twitchy" about the issue.

"Nobody got twitchy about taking spinach off the market," she said.

LEE BLOOMQUIST covers the St. Louis County Board. He can be reached weekdays at (800) 368-2506, (218) 744-2354 or by e-mail at leebloom@cpinternet.com . Staff writer Jana Hollingsworth contributed to this report.