MINNEAPOLIS, January 10, 2008—Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has spoken up in support of Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle’s effort to adopt a statewide smoking ban in his state,

Smoke-free is one issue on which the two governors, Pawlenty and Wisconsin Democrat Jim Doyle, are in accord. Wednesday, the two met and Pawlenty had his say.

Although Pawlenty acknowledged that going smoke-free is an issue people on both sides have strong feelings about, he also said the ban in Minnesota is widely supported and is clearly succeeding, with fewer cigarettes being rung up at the cash register.

“I think the track record in every community or region or state that has passed this pretty quickly reveals itself to be a positive change overall,” he said Wednesday.

Doyle is on record saying he does “not want to see his state become the ashtray of the Midwest,” and that Wisconsin legislators should vote on the proposal in coming weeks.

“You know that this entire country will be smoke-free in public places in the coming years,” he said.

Wisconsin should follow Minnesota’s lead, Doyle said.

“I’m glad the Packers took care of the Vikings this year, but in the world of smoking bans you guys won,” he said.

Earlier in the week, a Wisconsin Senate committee approved a weakened version of Doyle’s proposal. The revised plan delays until 2010 the ban’s implementation in bars and restaurants.

In other smoke-free news, students at Farmington High School in Minnesota are campaigning to ban smoking in area parks. 

A poll at Farmington High School indicates about 39 percent of the students there are regular users of tobacco products. Members of the school's Tiger Leadership Club (TLC) say one reason is that kids who see other kids smoking are persuaded that it is acceptable and even attractive.

Prohibiting smoking and tobacco use in parks, the students say, will help create an environment that discourages young children from using tobacco.

Tobacco use is prohibited on District 192 property. The students believe making Farmington’s parks and trails tobacco-free would send a consistent message that smoking is not a healthy choice.

Back in October, students visited nearby Rambling River Park to collect tobacco-related trash in preparation for Monday’s request. In about an hour, they were nearly able to fill two large jars with discarded cigarette butts and tobacco tins.

Story about Govs. Pawlenty and Doyle in the Bemidji Pioneer

Details on the Farmington teens' anti-tobacco efforts