DFL Rep. Tina Liebling introduces bill to ban smoking in some private homes

By Aaron Rupar Thu., Jan. 31 2013 at 2:11 PM

Liebling wants to keep children away from smoking foster parents.

Last week, we told you about how smoking is slowly becoming illegal in Minnesota.

SEE ALSO: Chuck Grassley, Iowa Senator, compares smoking pot to murder, rape, and child abuse

A new bill introduced today by Rep. Tina Liebling, D-Rochester, takes another major step toward that end.

The bill would ban smoking in some private homes -- namely, those licensed to provide foster care.

Here's the bill:

Last week, we wondered what would come first -- the outright ban of smoking in public places or the legalization of recreational pot. But now it looks like smoking in private places is in the crosshairs as well.

Tags:

cigarettes, Tina Liebling

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jer0my

I am a smoker, who smokes outside my home. Yes, making foster homes healthier is great and all, but who are we kidding if we think it will stop there. People that smoke know the health problems associated. But prejudice against smokers is getting out of hand.

robert.moffitt

2 Like

From the KAAL-TV article on the story:

"Technically, foster homes are licensed state facilities and foster children are under the care of the state, which is why Liebling says the state has an obligation to protect them."

Questions?

robert.moffitt

1 Like

Works for me....

Reier Erickson

2 Like

If you are getting public money to care for foster children the state has a certain responsibility to ensure those children are safe and healthy, this seems like a no brainer.

Chris Pederson

1 Like

Well, second hand smoke does cause cancer and aggravates asthma.

CinBlueland topcommenter

1 Like

Gotta love this.. go ahead.. 1/4 tax revenue gone. Every time they've raised taxes on cigarettes revenue from same has dropped. For those on the edge? Patches at Target are cheaper than a carton and last longer.

amiller92

1 Like

@CinBlueland You are wrong that past increases have led to lower revenue. But even if you were right, that would be great news because it would mean fewer smokers or people smoking less. Both excellent health policy outcomes.

As for the alleged slippery slope, I don't think asking people we pay to take care of foster kids not to poison the kids in their care says anything about whether we will eventually make smoking illegal (which we will not because prohibition does not work).

Drewey topcommenter

1 Like

@CinBlueland

Are you really using a lost tax revenue argument? How about the lost tax revenue that goes to treating smokers? I've read far too many comments from you that highlight just how stupid you really are. Think then post, you won't look so stupid.

_Joe_

1 Like

@CinBluelandSo licensed foster homes that people smoke in make up for 1/4 of the state's tax revenue? Damn. Makes you wonder why people would ever sign up for such a thing.

Honestly, for me it's a no brainer. If there are kids in the home, take it outside. Seems doubly so if you are licensed to provide foster care (which the state subsidizes) to minors.

Oh, and I am a smoker. Only assholes smoke around kids. Also, patches SHOULD be cheaper than smokes. I see no harm.

swmnguy topcommenter

@_Joe_ Hear, hear. As a longtime (luckily former) smoker myself, I never saw fit to smoke in my house; especially not once I had kids. My dad smoked when we were kids, but smoking was a lot more common then, and after the time one of my little sisters threw up after complaining about the smoke, he never smoked indoors again, until he himself quit. That was in the '70s. This isn't about "Political Correctness;" it's about common courtesy.

Casey Conners

Enough is enough----RIDICULOUS!!

Garrett Bing

2 Like

Yes, in homes providing foster care. Talk about a sensational headline.

Rob Parkos

boo

Alisha 'Haider' Hillstrom

1 Like

I'm okay with this bill.

Chris Pederson

2 Like

It's funny because conservatives would call this invasion of privacy, yet have no problem invading my body to keep me from getting an abortion.

keny1

@Chris Pederson Well, maybe if Liberal sluts like you would keep your fucking legs closed, you wouldn't have to worry about having an abortion.

chelseadiane1

@keny1 Keep talking. keny1. mysoginistic posts like this only help the liberal cause.

Drewey topcommenter

1 Like

@keny1 I'm so glad stupid posters like you exist. It's a good reminder of what we are dealing with in the new Republican Party.

BoDarville

@Chris Pederson

It's funny because Democrats think babies need to be protected from smoking but not being killed via abortion

Katy Thorpe

1 Like

GOOD!

Jeff Young

1 Like

If it's a home providing foster care, it has a public component. Bad enough I have and have had neighbors whose smoke comes in my open windows or under my closed doors.