With a new legislature, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is seeing a spark of hope for passage of a statewide smoking ban.

The Nov. 2 election replaced 13 Republican incumbents from the House with DFL candidates, creating a nearly-even split between the two branches of government.

Pawlenty would support a smoking ban in public places, he said, should such a bill reach his desk. With the previous legislature, he didn’t believe a bill was possible.

According to Dean Johnson, Senate Majority Leader, most businesses favor a statewide ban over local or regional ones.

Whether he is accurate in his assessment or not, a smoking ban appears destined in Minnesota.

The health risks of second-hand smoke is evident: we doubt most smokers will argue them. But the issue erodes what many smokers believe is their &uot;right&uot; to smoke. The two sides have previously lined up facing each other, ready to do battle and we don’t see anything changing: The issue is divisive.

Somehow, the legislature, should the topic come up this session, must find a happy-medium which addresses the health risk while leaving smokers’ rights intact.

Smokers and non-smokers must also keep their emotions in check as this debate continues because no good will come from a state divided.