If some state lawmakers get their way, indoor smoking will be allowed at some Minnesota bars -- in separate "smoking shacks" that would protect smokers from winter chills, the Duluth News Tribune reported April 4.

The Minnesota House of Representatives voted 73-59 to allow bars to construct smoking shacks, with the provision that no alcohol or food be served inside the structures. Employees also would not be required to enter the shelters so their exposure to tobacco smoke would be minimized. The legislation from Rep. Bud Heidgerken (R-Freeport) permits construction of a "structure located outside of an establishment that provides shelter for persons smoking outdoors."

"I think what you would see is a little fish house out there; that would be about it," Heidgerken said.

Heidgerken said that the smoking ban has driven many bars out of business.

The smoking-shack measure was included in the House's budget bill; no similar language was included in the Senate bill.

Rep. Tom Huntley (DFL-Duluth), who sponsored Minnesota's indoor-smoking ban, opposed the smoking-shack measure. "What this is doing is chipping away at the Freedom to Breathe Act," he said, noting that Heidgerken's amendment did not define what comprises a smoking shack.