I propose the State of Minnesota iniate a program of pollution credits, that can be bought and traded by business or individuals that wish to smoke in places now designated by the state as no smoking areas. For instance in lieu of being charged by the state with a crime and penalty of $10,000 for allowing smoking in their business they could "buy" so many credits which would allow them a free pass so to speak. This money would then be used by the medical folks to treat various medical problems brought on by this smoking. Another possible use could be to dole out some of these credit funds to soup kitchens, homeless shelters and food pantrys. Iniatially there would be a fixed amount of credits statewide, issued on the basis of population. Anybody or business owner anywhere in the state could enter the state lottery for smoking certificates that are to be issued but after all have been bought then any remaining credits would have to bought at the going market price in order for you to receive a "bye" for allowing smoking in your business. A similar system could be established for individuals that wanted to smoke in a prohibited area. They could be issued a "tag" not unlike the handicap tags which would verify they were legally allowed to violate the law. This system is comparable to the pollution credits now issued to corporations allowing them to continue to pollute, if they "buy" a license to do so and also similar to the wetlands credits being issued to "dry up" wet lands in one place for wetlands in another place. All these innovative systems being used to circumvent the original intent of the law seem very logical and proper to me so I am sure my new idea should meet with little resistence and become a widely accepted new program.

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