Measure 4 Controversy | Video

Rene Thibault | 10/16/2012

When voters go to the polls next month, they`ll have the option of clearing the air, or not. Smoke Free North Dakota and many other anti-tobacco groups across North Dakota are trying to gather support for the Measure 4 which has to do with banning smoking in public places.

Caroline Bodell, of Smoke Free North Dakota, says that the measure is geared towards workers.

“What it will do is protect the health of all workers in the state instead of the current 30 percent of workers in the state that are protected by smoke free North Dakota”.

But not everyone agrees. Vonita Eby, a Minot resident and smoker say it is a hit to her civil rights, and it’s workers choices to be in smoke environments.

“It`s up to the individuals and if they`re worried about their health working in a bar or smoking environment, then they need to get a different job.”

If Measure 4 passes, smoking in all indoor workplaces including bars, truck-stops, hotels and retail tobacco shops would be banned. People would be banned from smoking within 20 feet from the entrance, exit and air intakes.

Those against the measure say those types of businesses could lose money, although there are studies that contradict that.

“There have been some studies done in Fargo and West Fargo, they`ve gone smoke free completely, and they`ve done an economic study and found that there`s been no long term affect economically on businesses,” added Bodell.

But some smokers like Eby say they will no longer visit places that don`t allow smoking, “I think it`s against our rights, I will not go into a restaurant without smoking”.

More than 13,000 signatures were needed for Measure 4 to make it onto the November ballot, but the future of smoking in North Dakota is now in the hands of voters, and will be decided November 6.

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