Fate of new ‘smoking shack’ concept appears hazy

Thank you, Dean, for speaking out on behalf of the small businesses in your area. I would hope that more than a smoke shack solution can be considered. I still feel the free market should decide and the solution should be tailored around this concept. A smoke shack won't bring the business back in a real business sense. Many businesses do not have the space to erect a smoke shack or may have local ordinances against temporary shelters. It is small consolation as many small businesses are FRANTIC for a solution and may agree or take anything just to have a bone thrown to them and not consider that there are other better solutions. I wanted to thank you for your email responses and let you know that I appreciate what you are quoted as saying in The West Central Tribune. Thank you again. Lia Nistler241 Cedar Ave SWatkins, 55389320-764-2530

http://www.wctrib.com/articles/index.cfm?id=35608&section=News

Fate of new ‘smoking shack’ concept appears hazyBy Don DavisWest Central Tribune - 04/05/2008ST. PAUL — Some Minnesota bars may peg their survival hopes on “smoking shacks,” but first must wait to see if that idea survives a difficult legislative test. Rural lawmakers said during a marathon Minnesota House session that ended early Friday morning that allowing smokers to light up in shelters near bars could save those businesses. Many rural Democrats joined Republicans to approve 73-59 what Rep. Bud Heidgerken, R-Freeport, called “smoking shacks.”The provision, placed in a 370-page House budget-balancing bill, would provide bars with a loophole to the statewide smoking ban.They could build a “structure located outside of an establishment that provides shelter for persons smoking outdoors,” Heidgerken’s provision says.No drinks or food could be served in a smoking shack.“I think what you would see is a little fish house out there; that would be about it,” Heidgerken said in offering his amendment.The smoking shack concept is fa r from law. The Senate has no similar provision in its bill, but since the House backed the smoking shack idea it could become part of upcoming negotiations between the two chambers.“I’m not going to say that it won’t be looked at because it will, and who knows,” said Assistant Senate Majority Leader Tarryl Clark, DFL-St. Cloud.House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, voted against allowing smoking shacks and said the measure’s future is unclear.“I think it’s going to be a tough item in conference committee,” Kelliher said.The amendment came about, Heidgerken said, because so many bars are going out of business. That is happening across the state, rural lawmakers said.“I have a lot of friends losing their businesses, and it doesn’t have anything to do with the economy,” Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia, said. “It is because of people like me who like to drink, smoke and swear.”Since lawmakers passed a statewide smoki ng ban last year, bar owners have complained they are losing business because drinkers often also like to smoke and now opt not to frequent bars.“It mostly reflects a recognition that there is some potential loss of business to some of these family businesses, and maybe there’s some way we can provide some relief,” said House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm.Some bars recently have held “plays,” calling their customers actors, because smoking is allowed in performances. However, state health officials say that is illegal.Heidgerken said early Friday that he will seek a Senate sponsor for the concept before legislators go home for the year May 19. Clark said there are Senate Democrats who would support the idea, but she also cited a study that looked at the negative health effects of second-hand smoke.One rural representative after another stood up during the House debate, arguing to give bars a break from the 2007 law banning smoking from almost every public place.Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Grove City, held up a soft drink bottle and told his colleagues: “I spent a lot of time the last few weekends going to bars — drinking my Diet Pepsi and asking what the smoking ban does for them.” He learned that it hurts.“This is about jobs,” Urdahl added.The House sponsor of the smoking ban opposed smoking shacks.“What this is doing is chipping away at the Freedom to Breath Act,” said Rep. Tom Huntley, DFL-Duluth.