If you agree that this is not a route we want to follow in our state, get behind the opposition and let's see if we can keep Minnesota on a sane path.

Check with your legislators to find out what you can do.

Time is of the essence, so do it today.

St. Paul Pioneer Press
Editor

Sir:

An attempt to modify Minnesota’s Clean Indoor Air Act (SS144.414) that would ban smoking in bars and workplaces is again slithering through the State Capitol.

House File 1566 was introduced on Monday, March 16th by Representative Peggy Leppik(R), the same week received a Senate File #2036 by chief author, Senator Carol Flynn (D) and an immediate hearing by the Health and Family Security Committee, chaired by Senator John Hottinger on March 24, 1999. The bill was defeated in the committee by voice vote, but is alive and well in the House.

Dear fellow citizens, please fear this dictatorial and illegitimate legislation. The single and most important aspect of our civilization is not the power of the police and illegitimate laws, but our own desire as citizens to obey and respect the law.

The California law banning smoking in bars is unenforceable. As this canard continues there are daily confrontations between the police who are sworn to uphold the law and the citizens who consider the law an attack on their freedoms. Illegitimate laws equal anarchy and mediocrity.

Question: Why don’t these folks use the same expedience in returning our tax overcharges as they do on anti tobacco projects being fronted by non profits. If we all quit smoking and drinking, the state would go bankrupt.

Archie Anderson, President
Minnesota Smokers’ Rights Coalition