Ban the Ban Minnesota was started by two Minnesota citizens who have fought against the Minnesota statewide smoking ban. We've been working with the founders of Ban the Ban Wisconsin to create our own unique organization that focuses more specifically on the Minnesota statewide smoking ban, and other property and freedom of choice issues in Minnesota. We are incorporated under Minnesota State Law as a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization.
Mission Statement
Our goal is to help protect the basic rights of Minnesota residents and business owners, preserve the economic viability of rural and out-state communities and help maintain lifestyle choices.
Our mission is to neither encourage nor discourage smoking; rather, we advocate for the individual's right to choose based on facts and the truth, without government interference, oppressive legislation, or special interest pressure.
We hope to encourage a healthy debate that fosters free-thought by offering valid arguments and alternatives to a government-mandated smoking ban on privately-owned property.
Our Organization
Ban the Ban Minnesota is incorporated under Minnesota State Law as a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. We receive absolutely NO funding from "Big Tobacco" and we take no salary from donations.
BtBMN Documents
Articles of Incorporation
Certificate of Incorporation
Organization Bylaws
2008 Form 990
"Concerned Citizens"
Shawn Gertken:
shawn@banthebanminnesota.com
I am a smoker who has consciously made the choice to smoke cigarettes and would never pass judgment on anyone else who makes that choice. I quit smoking after 11 years in 2000, but started again in 2007, at my own free will. I enjoy smoking, and have no desire to quit.
My research has shown that there is too much money in the world being squandered on intimidating and marginalizing smokers to get them to quit smoking. I believe that legislators who support smoking bans are uninformed, swayed by greedy lobbyists, and do not truly care about public health; if they did, they would make tobacco products illegal.
Almost everyone takes risks every day, yet tobacco is targeted on a regular basis, and smokers are scorned as inconsiderate fools who deliberately and maliciously inflict harm on others with their "deadly" second-hand smoke. Anti-smokers (not to be confused with non-smokers) are some of the most spiteful, gullible, and self-righteous people on this planet, and I've found most of them will belittle smokers and liberty lovers to promote their disgusting agenda.
It's apparent that large drug companies and corrupt non-profit organizations are spending billions of dollars lobbying for the passage of restrictive smoking bans for their own benefit, and small taverns are forced to push the majority of their customers out into the cold and rain, costing small businesses and small charities millions of dollars alone in Minnesota.
I believe that smoking bans are based upon manipulated scientific evidence that must be exposed so that the citizens of Minnesota can truly understand the freedom that is being taken from away from them when our government infringes on private property rights that are guaranteed by the US Constitution.
Sheila Kromer:
sheila@banthebanminnesota.com
I am a wife, mother, chemist, small business owner and a smoker. I would not give up any of these titles for they are the choices that I have made in my life....none of which I regret.
As a chemist, my research of second hand smoke has led me to believe that the "health" industry is pulling a fast one with their so called scientific studies. If I conducted studies like that, I would be fired in a heart beat. It just amazes me that they are allowed to get away with it and that we allow them to get away with it. There needs to be a Federal investigation into these studies and the truth needs to come out.
As a small business owner, I have felt the economic effects of the smoking ban law. I watched, first hand, my customers disappear and stand outside in the freezing cold for a smoke. There are laws on the books that ensure animals are treated better than that. This is what motivated me to explore the "theater" exemption in the law and thus "theater nights" in Minnesota bars was born. I must give credit to Mark Benjamin (a non-smoker) for he was an integral part of "theater nights" and I am forever indebted to him.
I spent numerous hours at the Capitol talking with legislators and testifying in committee hearings against the smoking ban. But alas, they didn't want to hear what I had to say because their minds were already made up. The health care lobbyists were in full force and spreading the lies and deceit about second hand smoke.
As a wife, mother, chemist, small business owner and a smoker, I will not stop fighting this unjust law. I do not believe in having our freedom of choice taken away. I do not believe in trampling on private property owners rights to run their business. I do not take kindly to the government making choices for me and interfering in my life. I am an adult and can make my own choices. I will not be complacent any longer and I will stand up against government intrusion into my life. I do not need a nanny and can take care of myself.