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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Janis Rannow, American Cancer Society, 952-925-6337 or 612-865-9685 (cell) Corirnie Er(z, American Cancer Society, 952-925-6329 or 612-239-3048 (cell) 11 ' �� ��K�r 5�ei�l� � _ . New Minnesota Survey Shows Need for Smoke-free Policies Bars and restaurants provide highest exposure and least protections for workers MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.—June 16,2004 —The Minnesota Department of Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota and the Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco today released an independent survey o f more than 8,000 Minnesota adults showing that Minnesotans are most likely to report exposure to secondhand smoke in bars and restaurants. For workers, bars and restaurants also provide the lowest levels of secondhand smoke protection. The American Cancer Society's Shannon Guernsey maintains that the survey results confirm the need for smoke- free policies and urged Twin Cities leaders to take action. "This survey sends a loud and clear message to community leaders throughout Minnesota. Secondhand smoke i s a threat to public health to which Minnesota's workers and citizens should not be exposed. Mayors, city council members and elected officials have a responsibility to study these results and take action to protect people's right to breathe clean air. In St. Paul and Minneapolis, the time to act is now without delay and without excuses." The Advance Results from the 2003 Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (www.mpaa.t.org) focus on Minnesota adult's knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in terms of secondhand smoke. Some of the survey's results include: More than half of Minnesotans reporting secondhand smoke exposure were last exposed in a restaurant or a bar. While 82 percent of Minnesotans who work indoors report smoke-freepolicies at work, bar and restaurant workers lag well behind. Only 23 percent of restaurant-bar workers and five percent of bar workers report smoke-free policies that spare them exposure to secondhand smoke. ■ 93 percent of Minnesotans report that smoke-free policies in restaurants would either not change or increase how often they go out to eat. 54 percent of Minnesotans who work where smoking is permitted would prefer to work in a smoke-free environment. "This survey confirms so many things that we already know and need to act upon," said Corinne Ertz of the American Cancer Society. "We know that secondhand smoke is a threat to public health, that not all workers are given the right to breathe clean air, that workers without protections want them and we know that smoke-free policies don't hurt business. With all of this knowledge, what could possibly justify not acting when you have the opportunity?" The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 14 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.or�. �