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� �� The U. S. Surgeon General has determined that the simple separation of smokers and nonsmokers within the same air space may reduce, but does not eliminate, the exposure of nonsmokers to secondhand smoke. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that secondhand smoke cannot be reduced to safe levels in businesses by high rates of ventilation. Air cleaners, which are only capable of filtering the particulate matter and odors m smoke, do not eliminate the known toxins in secondhand smoke. �� j A significant amount of secondhand smoke exposure occurs in the workplace. Employees who work in smoke-filled businesses suffer a 25- 50% higher risk of heart attack and higher rates of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as increased acute respiratory disease and measurable decrease in lung function. �'� Smoke-filled warkplaces result in higher warker absenteeism due to respiratory disease, lower productivity, higher cleaning and maintenance costs, increased health insurance rates, and increased liability claims far diseases related to exposure to secondhand smoke. t�} Smoking is a potential cause of fires. WHEREAS, some Bloomington residents and business community are concerned that the enactment of a local ardinance prohibiting smoking in places of employment and restaurants will have a negative effect on the community's businesses because businesses in adjacent communities will not be subject to the same regulation; and WHEREAS, the Bloomington City Council has heard from those residents and businesses that a countywide or statewide smoke free ardinance is mare appropriate than a local ardinance so as to not place at a disadvantage the businesses of this ar any other individual community; and WHEREAS the City deems it prudent, reasonable and necessary to adopt an ardinance that reduces the exceptions to the Minnesota Clean Indoar Air Act with regard to smoking restrictions in public places and wark places; and WHEREAS the City also deems it prudent, reasonable and necessary to support, advocate and urge the passage of at least a countywide ardinance (I) to protect the public health and welfare by prohibiting smoking m public places and places of employment; and (2) to guarantee the right of nonsmokers to breathe smoke free air, and to recognize that the need to breathe smoke free air shall have priarity over the desire to smoke.