GRAND FORKS, N.D. – City officials will be considering a proposed smoking ban ordinance with no exemption for bars or restaurants.
Grand Forks City Council member Dorette Kerian asked city attorney Howard Swanson to draft the proposal, saying the timing is right. Other council members are not so sure.
State legislators are considering smoking ban bills, and the council’s efforts could well be a duplication, three council members said.
“I see this possibly as a fire drill that’s not needed,” said council member Gerald Hamerlik. Council members Hal Gershman and Doug Christensen said they had similar reservations, though Christensen said he probably would vote for a ban.
Council member Eliot Glassheim said the Legislature would have an easier time passing a ban if cities such as Grand Forks took the first step.
Council member Curt Kreun said he would vote for the ban, but would like to coordinate it with neighboring East Grand Forks, Minn., which has yet to take up the issue.
The Tobacco Free Coalition has been pushing for the ban. Fargo passed its own smoking ban last summer, exempting bars and restaurants. Grafton also is considering a citywide smoking ban.
The Tobacco Free Coalition held a Grand Forks community meeting in November bringing in experts on secondhand smoke and leaders from communities that have a ban in place.
That meeting, Kerian said, showed her that “there is significant community support” for a ban.
