GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The City Council has decided to delay action on a proposed workplace smoking ban until May 16.
Council members said Monday night that they want to wait until the state Legislature acts on proposals for a statewide smoking ban.
“In the meantime, we can work to support those businesses that are smoke free,” Councilman Bob Brooks said.
The council heard Monday from business owners who said a ban on smoking would hurt them.
“Please don’t legislate me out of business,” said Jim Carlson, whose business puts coin-operated games in bars.
Bill Koral, who owns the Down Under Pub, said many of his customers smoke, and none of the nonsmoking customers have complained in the past 15 years he’s been in business.
Resident Alan Cormican said the market is working, and fewer people are smoking. The council, he said, need not pass more laws.
UND President Charles Kupchella, a former cancer researcher, supports a smoking ban.
“I’ve looked at all the studies (on the harm secondhand smoke causes),” he told the council. “They are all true. The impact has been significant.”
He predicted that smoking in bars someday will be considered the same as smoking on airplanes. Government has a right to look out for the common welfare, he said.
Originally written By: The Associated Press
