HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2004-103 - Urging Hennepin County to Enact a County-Wide Smoke-Free Ordinance - 06/15/2004 CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE
HENNEPIN COUNTY,NIINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2004-103
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING,ADVOCATING AND URGING THE HENNEPIN
COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO ENACT A COUNTY-WIDE SMOKE
FREE ORDINANCE PROHIBITING SMOKING IN PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT AND
RESTAURANTS
BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Eden Prairie,Minnesota(the
"City"), as follows:
WHEREAS The Eden Prairie City Council does hereby find that:
(1) Numerous studies have found that tobacco smoke is a major contributor to
indoor air pollution, and that breathing secondhand smoke(also known as
environmental tobacco smoke)is a cause of disease in healthy
nonsmokers, including heart disease, stroke,respiratory disease, and lung
cancer. The U.S. Surgeon General has determined that secondhand smoke
is responsible for the early deaths of 65,000 Americans annually.
(2) The Public Health Service's National Toxicology Program has listed
secondhand smoke as a known carcinogen(U.S. DHHS,2000, citing Cal.
EPA, 1997).
(3) Secondhand smoke is particularly hazardous to elderly people, individuals
with cardiovascular disease, and individuals with impaired respiratory
function, including asthmatics and those with obstructive airway disease.
Children exposed to secondhand smoke have an increased risk of asthma,
respiratory infections, sudden infant death syndrome, developmental
abnormalities, and cancer.
(4) The Americans With Disabilities Act, which requires that disabled persons
have access to public places and workplaces, deems impaired respiratory
function to be a disability.
(5) The U.S. Surgeon General has determined that the simple separation of
smokers and nonsmokers within the same air space may reduce,but does
not eliminate, the exposure of nonsmokers to secondhand smoke. The
Environmental Protection Agency has determined that secondhand smoke
cannot be reduced to safe levels in businesses by high rates of ventilation.
Air cleaners,which are only capable of filtering the particulate matter and
odors in smoke, do not eliminate the known toxins in secondhand smoke.
(6) A significant amount of secondhand smoke exposure occurs in the
workplace. Employees who work in smoke-filled businesses suffer a 25-
50%higher risk of heart attack and higher rates of death from
cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as increased acute respiratory
disease and measurable decrease in lung function.
(7) Smoke-filled workplaces result in higher worker absenteeism due to
respiratory disease, lower productivity,higher cleaning and maintenance
costs, increased health insurance rates, and increased liability claims for
diseases related to exposure to secondhand smoke.
(8) Smoking is a potential cause of fires.
WHEREAS, Eden Prairie residents and business community are concerned that the
enactment of a local ordinance prohibiting smoking in places of employment and restaurants will
have a negative effect on the community's businesses because businesses in adjacent
communities will not be subject to the same regulation; and
WHEREAS, the Eden Prairie City Council has heard from many residents and
businesses that a county-wide smoke free ordinance is more appropriate than a local ordinance so
as to not place at a disadvantage the businesses of this or any other individual community; and
WHEREAS the City deems it prudent, reasonable and necessary to support, advocate and
urge the passage of a county-wide ordinance (1)to protect the public health and welfare by
prohibiting smoking in public places and places of employment; and (2) to guarantee the right of
nonsmokers to breathe smoke free air, and to recognize that the need to breathe smoke free air
shall have priority over the desire to smoke.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE,
MINNESOTA THAT:
The City Council hereby supports, advocates and urges the Hennepin County Board of
Commissioners enact an ordinance establishing all places of employment and restaurants in
Hennepin County as smoke free.
ADOPTED by the City Council this 6th day of July 2004.
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ATTEST:
athleen Porta, City Clerk