The smoking ban in bars and restaurants in Minneapolis went into effect yesterday. I couldn’t be happier. Joe and I just spent two hours at the bar at New Delhi – the best Indian restaurant in town (fabulous Samosa, garlic Naan, Curry, Nariyal, and Tandoori chicken) but also a notoriously smokey bar. We could breathe and see clearly. I don’t feel disgusting and congested. Amazing!

That public smoking isn’t federally banned is a testament to the power of the tobacco lobbies. There is no reason for people to smoke where other people might have to inhale their pollution.

The alcohol lobbies should certainly listen up, because as most people are non-smoking, I believe that these laws will encourage non-smokers to go out and drink more. I know I’ll be imbibing with more regularity. We could get these two evils to duke it out in favor of the lesser! Here’s to a smoke-free future!