The Minnesota Department of Health has filed more court documents against another metro area bar for violating the Freedom to Breathe Act.
The manager of Bugg's Place in South Saint Paul says patrons will continue to smoke as actors in theatrical productions until a Dakota County Judge issues a ruling.
"What we're doing is legal. We have signs posted, we have the props (ashtrays) at the table. You have to be an actor to smoke.
If you're not we do ask you to leave the establishment," bar manager Crystal Bentson said. Bentson says Bugg's has even gone as far as obtaining a theatrical license from the South St. Paul City Council.
Several Minnesota bar owners are using a theatrical exemption in the smoking ban to allow patrons to light up as "actors."
Bentson says business is now starting to come back after some extremely tough months following the ban.
The Department of Health hopes a judge will find "theater nights" violate the Freedom to Breathe Act.
They've also filed a complaint with the court against Bullseye Saloon in Elko.
A hearing on that injunction is scheduled for May 6th. Bugg's plans to follow whatever precedent is set in the Bullseye case since the two bars have the same lawyer.
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