Survey shows 68% of county residents support a smoke free law.

A new poll released January 23 finds that 68% of Sibley County voters show strong supoort for a law prohibiting smoking in all public buildings and workplaces, including offices, restaurants and bars.  An overwhelming 86% of voters agree that all workers in Sibley County should be protected from exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace.  This support comes from a broad-based coalition of voters, including large majorities of men and women, young and old, and residents of all parts of the county. 

Citizens for Smoke-Free Sibley County is a grassroots citizen coalition working to demonstrate support for a smoke-free law  to protect employees and patrons in all workplaces.

Two separate studies have found a rapid decrease in heart attacks when smoke free laws were enacted.  (Sargent, et al, 2004; Colorado Prevention Center, 2005)

Employees in restaurants and bars deserve the same protections from secondhand smoke as do employees in offices, factories and warehouses.    

The risk of heart disease increases 25 – 35 percent with exposure to secondhand smoke. (International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2002)  

Employees should not be forced to choose between their jobs and breathing secondhand smoke.