Air Pollution Is A Serious Problem - 1507 Words

Air pollution is a serious problem in our society that damages many things such as crops, trees, plants, and natural resources. Air pollution can be indoor or outdoors, when people smoke or vehicles exhaust pollutes the air. It is an additional harmful substance that damages environment, human health, and quality of life. The state of Minnesota has taken this into consideration and decided to protect its residence and visitor’s well-being and health. As stated in the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), â€Å"Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. In 2005, it was estimated that, each year exposure to secondhand smoke in the United States kills more than 3,000 adult nonsmokers from lung cancer and†¦show more content†¦Since then, the Act underwent many alterations, which were implemented by different states and local officials to meet its criteria. Through the years, awareness against smoking has grown indefinitely and the harmful effects in environments, insisting to create policies. The state of Minnesota passed a policy in 2007 that is called the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act. The policy in Minnesota’s legislation was passed to regulate where smoking tobacco is permitted in the state. The Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act (MCIAA) was first enacted in 1975 in order to protect the public health and the environment. The purpose of the policy is to protect the people from the hazards of secondhand smoke, by prohibiting smoking in employment places, public transportation, and at public meeting areas where people socialize. Basically smoking in any indoor place like bars, restaurants, hospitals, vehicles, and factories are prohibited. The department of health enforces the (MCIAA) and also fines up to 10,000 against proprietors who violate the policy. If caught smoking in a public place where smoking is prohibited, an individual can be cited with a misdemeanor. Even the local government can enact sticker measures than the ones provided in the (MCIAA) to prevent secondhand smoke. People who control public places are also the responsible parties for enforcing the policy