Rep. Tom Emmer's commentary about a potential statewide smoking ban was overly simplistic in its assessment and misdirected in its approach ("If we ban smoking, what's next?" Dec. 23).
Using a phony argument on such a serious health subject, and to assume that it shouldn't be part of a larger health initiative this year, made light of the consequences of tobacco use and makes the appeal for a ban more poignant.
A statewide smoking ban means Minnesotans will be healthier. Tobacco use significantly contributes to chronic disease. Studies have shown that four out of five chronic diseases -- heart disease, cancer, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- are strongly associated with smoking. Health-care costs for people with chronic diseases account for 75 percent of the nation's total health-care bill.
Secondhand smoke is also one of the leading causes of preventable death and disease in Minnesota. Studies have shown that waiters and waitresses with long-term exposure to secondhand smoke at work have twice the rate of lung cancer than the national average. The U.S. surgeon general concluded in a study released last year that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
Obviously, these are consequences to our inaction on a smoking ban. Tobacco-related health-care costs total $2.6 billion annually in Minnesota, and we spend $341 per person every year on smoking-attributable direct medical expenditures. Everyone in Minnesota pays for the costs of smoking!
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Throughout the 2006 campaign, politicians from both sides of the aisle promised to get a handle on rising health-care costs. A statewide smoking ban is part of the larger picture of health-care reform and a terrific way to provide a healthy and clean environment for all Minnesotans. A good many elected officials agree that this is the year to pass a smoking ban. Gov. Tim Pawlenty has said he will sign the bill if passed by the Legislature.
Minnesota always has been ahead of the curve in terms of providing leadership to enact positive, progressive change. It's time to ensure that the next generation of Minnesotans will breathe the cleanest, healthiest air possible by soon passing a statewide smoking ban.
Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon of Duluth represents District 7 in the Minnesota Legislature.
