Prairie Public NewsRoom
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Smoking ban could be headed to the Nov. ballot

Dave Thompson
/
Prairie Public

Supporters of a law to ban smoking in all public places in North Dakota say they have more than enough signatures to get the measure on the ballot.

Smoke Free ND turned in petitions with more than 21.000 signatures to the Secretary of State. The group needs just over 13,000 valid signatures to get in on the November ballot.

"Now we're completely surrounded by states that are completely smoke-free, and 29 other states already have what we're proposing," said Smoke Free ND chair Chelsey Matter of West Fargo. "There's a lot of momentum with all the cities that have been going smoke-free, and there's a lot of momentum."

Matter told Bismarck reporters it's is an opportune time, especially with the Presidential election.

"There will be people turning out to vote," said Matter.

The group is planning some advertising for the campaign, as well as opportunities to visit with indivudal voters.

Matter says this kind of law will reduce smoking rates.

"We've seen incredible results in Fargo, because we've had it (the smoke free ordinance) for more than four years now," Matter said. "The adult smoking rate has dropped dramatically since that time."

Once Secretary of State Al Jaeger checks the signatures and determines enough are valid, it will become Measure Three on the general election ballot.

Related Content