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BACKGROUND The City of Bloomington and Bloomington Public Health have a long history of being proactive in tobacco prevention efforts and promoting sa�wk�-fr� environments. In the early 1��'sr the City Council passed a local ordinance making it more difficult for underage youth to purchase tobacco products. In 1992, the City of Bloomington adopted a smoke-fiee policy for all City buildings and City-owned licensed vehicles. In 2001, the City passed an ordinance banning the use of tobacco at Bush Lake Beach, the Family Aquatic Center, and all City-owned athletic fields during youth athletic events. The City also adopted a 25-foot smoke-free zone around all city building entrances. Advisory Board of Health Study Charge In February 2004, the Bloomington City Council requested that the Advisory Board of Health study the issue of requiring bars and restaurants in the community to be smoke-free. The goals of the study were to (1) gain a better understandingof the currenttrends, activities, and research concerning smoke-free workplace policies in restaurants and bars and (2) develop recommendations for the City Council's consideration. The Advisory Board of Health held monthly study sessions from March to June. Study Methods The Advisory Board of Health study included the following: I, A review of health data specific to Bloomington citizens aged 18 and older pertaining to tobacco use and chronic diseases �, A literature review assessing secondhand smoke and its health effects on populations,the economic impact of smoke-fiee regulations on restaurants and bars, state and national smoke-fiee policy trends, and public attitudes regarding smoke-free public places. Because of the volume of published information available on this topic, the review was limited to the most current and scientifically-basedresearch 3, Information about smoke-fiee workplace activities in metropolitan communities and Greater Minnesota �. An updated listing of Bloomington's smoke-free bars and restaurants �, Key informant interviews with local business leaders who would be affected by a smoke-free workplace/restaurant and bar ban and organizations that have worked on community smoke- free workplace bans �_ A panel discussion on May 6,2004, at Bloomington Civic Plaza with representatives from Duluth, Olmsted County, and Eden Prairie to hear about their experiences and "lessons learned" in proposing a smoke-free tobacco ordinance