Subscribe to Cigar Rights of America RSS feeds and get the most up-to-date cigar-related legislative news for Minnesota. http://www.cigarrights.org/xml/news/news_MN.xml http://www.cigarrights.org/favicon.ico http://www.cigarrights.org/images/CRA08small.jpg en-us FEB 2 - Cigarettes and other tobacco products would be off-limits in Woodbury's parks, playgrounds and athletic fields under a measure to be considered today by the city's Park and Recreation Commission. Proposed changes to Woodbury's park ordinance would forbid smoking and other forms of tobacco within 100 feet of public recreational property, including the city beach at Carver Lake. Tobacco also would be banned from city property surrounding Central Park, Ojibway Park and Bielenberg Sports Center. "It's basically to address issues that we have adjacent to school sites," said Bob Klatt, Woodbury's parks and recreation director. The proposed ban came to the fore with the construction of East Ridge High School, which opens in the fall. The new school sits next to Bielenberg, one of the busiest gathering spots in the city. Because of the city's partnership with the South Washington County School District, Woodbury also will have several new athletic fields and other public conveniences ready when the high school opens. The city is adding nine baseball/softball fields, nine full-size soccer fields and three multipurpose practice football fields around the school, Klatt said. The $9 million project also includes a redeveloped parking lot at Bielenberg, a new main entrance off Radio Drive, added lighting on athletic fields and three picnic shelters with restrooms and storage space. http://www.startribune.com/local/east/38836077.html Mon, 2 Feb 2009 12:07 -0800 Minnesota A bill introduced today in the Minnesota House would ease the smoking ban restrictions on bars and restaurants with attached bars, by allowing smoking in enclosed bar areas if there is a ventilation system and closable doors that are "continuously closed, except when a person is actively entering or exiting the bar." http://www.minnpost.com/politicalagenda/2011/01/24/25150/bill_would_water_down_smoking_ban_in_bars 24 Jan 2011 11:11 -0800 Minnesota A group of lawmakers at the Capitol is looking to roll back part of the statewide smoking ban in bars and restaurants. The legislators today filed a bill that would allow people in bars to smoke if the facility installs a ventilation system to remove the smoke, and a closed door separates the bar from the restaurant. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/news_cut/archive/2011/01/is_the_smoking_ban_next.shtml 24 Jan 2011 11:11 -0800 Minnesota St. Cloud - It always seems government goofs up and doesn’t take the time to think through laws before they are passed. Just look at the ban on smoking in restaurants and bars but not in residential apartment buildings. In a bar you have mature adults who can make their own decisions. ... The choice to smoke was taken away by a law passed in part to protect the health and safety of the employees who worked these bars. http://www.sctimes.com/article/20110602/OPINION/106020069/Your-turn-Smoking-ban-should-cover-apartments 1 Jun 2011 11:11 -0800 Minnesota