U of M Supports Statewide Smoking Ban

University students, faculty, and staff encouraged to register for Smoke-Free Minnesota Day at the Capitol

WHAT: The University of Minnesota Academic Health Center and its School of Public Health are taking part in Smoke-Free Minnesota Day at the Capitol and encouraging students, faculty, and staff to register for the event.

WHEN: Tuesday, January 30, 2007
7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: St. Paul RiverCentre
175 West Kellogg Blvd., # 501
Saint Paul, MN 55102-1299

Minnesota State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

(Dec. 19, 2006) -- The University of Minnesota Academic Health Center and its School of Public Health are encouraging University students, faculty, and staff to show their support for a statewide smoking ban by rallying at the State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 30.
Participants who register to take part in the day's activities will gather at St. Paul RiverCenter for morning programs before traveling to the capitol to show their support for comprehensive smoke-free workplace legislation. Experienced advocates will lead group meetings with state legislators in which people will be given the opportunity to express why they think Minnesota should be smoke-free.

"Scientific evidence has proven that secondhand smoke is just as dangerous as it is annoying," said John R. Finnegan, Jr., Ph.D., dean of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. "This is a great opportunity for the University community to show its support of Minnesotans having the right to breathe clean air."

According to the United States Surgeon General, 49,000 nonsmokers die each year from diseases related to secondhand smoke. In the past 20 years, scientific research has linked secondhand smoke to health issues, such as coronary hear disease, lung cancer, nasal sinus cancer, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Nationwide, secondhand smoke costs more than $9.5 billion a year in health care costs and lost productivity.

A statewide smoke-free policy would help reduce nonsmokers' exposure to harmful indoor air pollution and toxins by more than 80 percent. Studies have also shown that smokers whose workplaces ban smoking are more likely to quit at an increased rate.

"Making Minnesota smoke-free is extremely important to the health and well-being of all the state's residents," said Finnegan. "I hope to see a large contingent from the University in support of the smoking ban."

Participation in Minnesota Smoke-Free Day at the Capitol is open to the public and free of charge. Registration is required.

• Learn more and/or register for the event

Contact:
Liz Wulderk, Academic Health Center, 612-624-5680
Sara E. Buss, Academic Health Center, 612-624-2449