N.D.'s new smoking ban to begin Monday

Publication Date: 2005-07-27

• Author:Janell Cole
• Publication:The Forum

Charlotte Haaland of Cooperstown is worried the new statewide workplace smoking ban will cause her customers to defect to other local bars.

Paula McKay wonders if people will still drive to her café and restaurant in Mooreton, 40 miles south of Fargo, if they can't smoke.

But 8-year-old David Smith of Bismarck is delighted with the change. It means he can now dine at virtually every restaurant in town without fear that second-hand smoke will trigger his asthma. He looks forward to having his next birthday party at a bowling alley - this time without ending up in the hospital.

About 400 new statutes passed by the 2005 Legislature go into effect Monday. Most notable is the smoking ban. It prohibits smoking in public areas and places of employment, with a few exceptions for bars, designated hotel rooms, private homes, rented party rooms, tobacco stores and a few other circumstances.