BLOOMINGTON, Minn., July 20 (UPI) -- The Bloomington, Minn., city council has approved a citywide public smoking ban and now some Twin Cities residents say more smoking bans are likely.
The 6-1 vote late Monday night followed lengthy public comment on the tough smoking law. Bloomington's ordinance will prohibit smoking in all public buildings and workplaces effective Sept. 1 and will be extended to cover bars, restaurants and gambling venues next March.
Smoking would also be banned at the huge Mall of America, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.
Minneapolis City Council is expected to vote on a public smoking ban Friday and the St. Paul City Council will take up Mayor Randy Kelly's veto of a council-approved anti-smoking ordinance next week.
Anti-smoking activists in the Twin Cities favor a countywide smoking ban that would impose uniform public smoking prohibitions in every community.
