North Dakota House rejects smoking ban bill

Thursday, February 19 2009

Opponents of House Bill 1213 said an existing smoking ban law is sufficient and their constituents who run bars will suffer if it is beefed up.

“Light a red one up on this bill,” said Rep. Mike Schatz, R-New England, referring to the House’s electronic board that shows no votes in red.

The vote to defeat the bill was 59-33.

Many members said the state law passed four years ago, which banned smoking from virtually all public places and places of employment except bars and designated hotel rooms, had gone far enough.
North Dakota House rejects smoking ban bill continues...