Natalie Collins - Epidemiology and Community Health

When Natalie Collins was a student researcher on a tobacco control study led by SPH professor Jean Forster back in the late 1990s, she had little idea she would have the opportunity to shape one of the hottest political issues to face Minneapolis in decades: a smoking ban in the city’s bars and restaurants.

Collins is policy aide to sixth ward Minneapolis city council member Dean Zimmermann and drafted the ordinance that he introduced for a citywide smoking ban.

The smoking ban passed the Minneapolis City Council July 23, 2004 and went into effect on March 31, 2005. All of the city’s bowling alleys, pool and billiard halls, and bars and restaurants are covered by the ban. And unlike bans in neighboring cities and counties, no establishments are exempt. So far, Collins says, compliance has been good and complaints have been restricted to a few bar and restaurant owners. Collins hopes research into sales and employment data will prove that the ban does not negatively affect business.

Collins says her public health background influences nearly every issue she faces in her work for the city. “Whether it is a transportation issue or a zoning issue, we look at how a particular policy will contribute to the well-being of the residents of and visitors to the city of Minneapolis,” she says. “Public health—looking at how people can be healthy—couldn’t be more relevant to local policy work.”