Protect Local Control

Ensuring Community Rights
To Pass Smokefree Ordinances
 

State Status

No Preemption

News Summary

Smoking finally snuffed out of N.D. Capitol

Publication Date: 2006-11-21
  • Author:Janell Cole and Don Davis
  • Publication:KMXC Minot

Senate Majority Leader (and Legislative Council chairman) Bob Stenehjem, R-Bismarck, confirms the legislative smoking room is no more.

The Capitol's infamous blue-haze legislative lounge, just off the Senate chamber, has been the source of controversy since 1990, when Gov. George Sinner banned smoking in the Capitol by executive order. Because the Legislature is a separate branch of government and controls its wing of the Capitol, the ban did not apply, and legislators, lobbyists and others took advantage to continue puffing away in the room.

Last session, legislators passed a tough new law banning smoking from virtually all places of business and employment, but it's been less than clear-cut whether legislative leaders were going to consider the room governed by the law.

Copyright 2019 Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights | All Rights ReservedPrivacy Policy