Minnesota Legislature's 2007 session

Bar owners react to statewide smoking ban

Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the statewide smoking ban into law Wednesday. Beginning this October, smoking in bars, restaurants and other establishments will be illegal.

St. Paul, Minn. — The statewide ban has received increased attention since individual cities and counties enacted their own bans. Some business owners argued that a patchwork approach would drive their customers to places that had no ban.

Once the law takes effect this fall, the state's bar and restaurant owners will be operating on similar footing, but those who own border-town establishments are concerned about loosing customers across state lines.

MPR's Greta Cunningham spoke with two Minnesota bar owners about the new law.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, 05/16/2007, 6:20 p.m.