Public health prevails in smoking ban vote

Publication Date: 2005-03-26

• Author:Janell Cole
• Publication:Fargo (ND) In-Forum

The House Friday reduced the workplace smoking ban issue to arguments about public health versus business rights, and in the end sided with the public health arguments.

By a 60-33 vote, it passed Senate Bill 2300, a statewide ban on workplace and public area smoking. It includes broad exemptions for bars, clubs, designated rooms in hotels and for some hospital patients.

"This is indeed a public health issue of the highest importance," said Rep. Lee Kaldor, D-Mayville, who favored the bill and argued that health is more important than the right to smoke around others. "The evidence is clear and incontrovertible" that second-hand smoke is dangerous, he said. . . .

The bill goes back to the Senate, which has to concur with House amendments or it will go to conference committee. The Senate version of the bill had fewer exemptions, plus the bar and club exemption would expire in 2007.