A University of Minnesota Cancer Center study on hospitality workers shows the statewide smoking ban implemented in Oct. 2007 is not only good public policy, it’s good health care policy.

The center studied 24 employees who worked in restaurants, bars and bowling alleys. It measured the level of carcinogens in their system for a period of time before the statewide smoking ban took effect and after it took effect. Employees were tested after a shift of six hours or more both before the smoking ban and after.

The results show the workers had an 83 percent reduction in the level of continine, and an 85 percent reduction in the level of NNAL. Continine levels indicate a level of nicotine exposure and NNAL levels show exposure to a “potent lung cancer-causing toxin” according to U of M researchers.

The study by the Cancer Center’s Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center, measured carcinogen levels in the workers who were not normally exposed to secondhand smoke at home, but only in their workplace.

It’s hard to argue that the “Freedom to Breathe Act” didn’t or wouldn’t have positive health impacts on those who work in bars and restaurants. But the patrons of those places also should be achieving health benefits as well.

Workers tested were from throughout the state and also filled out an extensive questionnaire. They were tested before the smoking ban went into effect and four to six weeks after it was implemented. Toxin levels were measured through urine samples.

The results back up earlier U of M tests that showed nonsmoking restaurant and casino workers and patrons had higher levels of cancer-causing substances in their bodies after working or visiting the establishments that allowed smoking.

The bottom line is the statewide smoking ban pays benefits immediately in lower health care costs for all Minnesotans. Although the smoking ban remains controversial, with some bars now trying to circumvent it with so-called “theater nights,” it’s clear the ban is good public policy that is saving the public money and protecting the health of workers.