Bismarck Bars Going Smoke Free

Bismarck voters have approved the city ordinance that will prohibit smoking in bars, truck stops and tobacco stores. They also said no to allowing smoking shelters outside of bars and no to using sales tax dollars to pay for the special election.

Election officials locked the doors at 7:00 p.m., and those inside the Civic Center and VFW Sports Arena were allowed to cast their votes. Voters numbers were strong today. More than 8,800 cast their ballots.

Bismarck resident Matthew Kronberger said, "It`s everyone`s right, you know to vote in North Dakota and for the smoking bill. I myself don`t smoke, and I don`t like being around smoke at all."

Voter Shelby Redmond said, "It has to do with our rights. Our right to be able to smoke or not smoke in the bar. There`s a lot of non-smoking bars and a lot of smoking bars. There`s a lot of people that have a lot of mixed feelings about the situation and I think a lot of people really needed to step up and do their part."

Election numbers won`t be official until the canvas board validates them on Monday. Then city commissioners need to approve the results on Tuesday, at which time the smoking ban will go into effect.

source: www.kfyrtv.com