North Dakota ballot initiative would ban smoking and e-cig use in all workplaces

[Vocalek]

The opposition is gearing up. Latest editorial: http://www.kmot.com/news_stories.asp?news=59870&c=y

I left this comment:

This report fails to mention the fact that smoke-free electronic cigarettes are falsely defined as "smoking." The measure accuses e-cigarette consumers of trying to "circumvent the prohibition of smoking," when in fact 79% are using them as a complete replacement for the type of cigarettes that produce SMOKE. Furthermore, the measure endangers not only the health of these former smokers, but of smokers as well, because it requires destruction of the shelters that were built to provide protection from North Dakota's severe winter weather. Sick and elderly nursing home patients who are smokers or e-cigarette users (i.e. former smokers) will be forced out into the elements, lacking adequate shelter. Initiated Statutory Measure No. 4 needs to be defeated. The authors need to go back to the drawing board and write a law that protects non-smokers without endangering the health of smokers and former smokers.

 

[stevejo]

Checking in and bumping this again, T-minus two weeks and counting. We've added this to the homepage of our website, papered the community with flyers, and pushed everything we can through Facebook.

Keep an eye on Fargo Moorhead news, sports and weather | INFORUM | Fargo, ND as they should be posting a poll on Friday to show where the state stands on this issue. The last poll we saw showed it passing with a 63% Yes vote, so we're hoping to see this down considerably.

Every piece of info we have is being shared on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/stopthendban as well as on our store's page at https://www.facebook.com/sngvapor so check them for updates!

Also, encourage anyone and everyone you know, regardless of state or issues, to get out and vote! Studies have shown that ND's young population (30 and under) only has about a 22% voter turnout -- if all of these folks got out and voted, we would be 100% in the clear from archaic lawmaking such as this!

 

[mwplefty]

Burning issue | The Jamestown Sun | Jamestown, North Dakota

Here is an update article. We are running out of time.

 

[Bill Godshall]

Poll: Smoking ban support polls at 61 percent
POLL: Smoking ban support polls at 61 percent | Grand Forks Herald | Grand Forks, North Dakota

The article didn't say who hired Forum Communications to contract with Essman/Research in Iowa to conduct this poll.

If a group that is campaigning for Measure 4 funded the poll, its possible the poll was rigged to show a high level of support as a strategy to convince undecided North Dakota voters to vote for Measure 4 (a strategy that has been used many times in the past to sway undecided voters). And I suspect that at least 5%, and perhaps up to 25%, of ND voters are still undecided on Measure 4

 

[Vocalek]

This story fails to mention the little-known fact that the measure will turn all of the outdoor shelters that were built for the express purpose of protecting smokers from the elements into "enclosed areas" where smoking is prohibited. Perhaps the citizenry would not be so enthusiastic about this measure if they understood that it includes torture of smokers as well as the former smokers who use an e-cigarette to avoid relapsing.

Both sides unsurprised as N.D. smoking ban draws support | The Jamestown Sun | Jamestown, North Dakota

 

[Vocalek]

Finally! A news story that doesn't promote passage of the bill. Libertarian Republican: NORTH DAKOTA: Smoking ban supporting Democrat set to lose election for Senate

 

[Vocalek]

Here's a Letter to the Editor:

Letter: Nanny state out of control | INFORUM | Fargo, ND

And a blog post by a cigar store / cigar bar owner

Say Anything Guest Post: Measure 4's Anti-Smoking Policies Will Cost Me My Business » Say Anything

 

[Vocalek]

Smoke Free North Dakota is getting somewhat bent out of shape about citizens receiving phone calls about the measure that don't put the same spin on things as they have done. See post from Thursday.

Smoke-Free North Dakota | Facebook

Also, they have posted a link to the "literature" written by the Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights and failed to provide a link to the rebuttal by CASAA: Dallas Morning News

 

[Vocalek]

At least this most recent news story finally addresses some of the issues that have been brushed under the carpet up until now:

Smoking ban buffer may cause issues for bars | INFORUM | Fargo, ND

The story does mention that e-cigarettes are included and talks about the new definition of "enclosed area" that would turn the shelters that were built for the express purpose of protecting smokers banished to the outside from the elements.

Notice the spin:

• "Has to be at least 66 percent open" instead of "Limits the protective walls around smokers to less than 33%".
  
• Also notice the pejorative reference to these structures as "shacks." I would hardly call a protective structure that a business owner spent $30,000 to $60,000 to build a "shack."
  
• Also, business owners are apparently expected to tear down 66% of the outer walls, and Ms. Matter refers to this as bringing them "up to code."

Another provision in the measure makes it so an outdoor smoking shack has to be at least 66 percent open. Matter said that’s to keep bar owners from building enclosed smoking hot boxes that servers or bartenders might have to enter.

If any current smoking shacks aren’t up to code, Matter said she believes public health officials won’t come busting the door down unless someone complains.

Business owners can also apply for a waiver, she said, if they want to argue that smoke isn’t infiltrating into a non-smoking area despite the fact that their smoking area isn’t 20 feet from a doorway.

“I don’t want to give the impression that this is the law, and this is the way it’s going to be,” Matter said. “We’re going to be working with these businesses.”

If I could speak directly to Ms. Matter, I'd ask:

Gee Chelsea. don’t you think that smoke would have less of a chance of “infiltrating” somewhere outside of the shelters that you insultingly refer to as “smoking shacks” if you hadn’t decided to punish smokers by exposing them to the elements, having written the law to limit the protective walls around the smokers to no more than 33%?

 

[mwplefty]

This is being voted on Tuesday by a popular vote. If passed, electronic cigarettes will be banned indoors everywhere and most certainly small-town bars, pool halls, and other adult venues will go out of business. If ANYONE lives in North Dakota, please go vote. Don't let this get any worse than it already is.

 

[Vocalek]

If you live in North Dakota or know someone who does, please share the FACEBOOK post on the smoking ban. This is a most sadistic law, requiring shelters to be 66% open to the elements.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/casaamembers/?ref=ts&fref=ts

 

[TennDave]

I posted on the ND FB site- I can't believe all the lies they keep shoveling.
My fingers crossed for ND but it doesn't look good.

 

[Vocalek]

Apparently the North Dakota ANTZ feel that the only proper punishment for smoking or for looking-as-if you are smoking is the death penalty.

Or maybe just the loss of a finger or a couple of toes...

 

[mwplefty]

The new amendment will ban smoking and vaping in all indoor workplaces. Prior to this amendment, state law allowed smoking (and vaping) in restaurant-bars and standalone bars provided that the smoking area is restricted to those 21 and older.

 

[Bill Godshall]

North Dakota voters approve Measure 4, bans e-cigarette use in about a hundred thousand workplaces, bans smoking in several hundred, bans e-cigarette use and smoking outdoors within 20 feet of building entrances.
ND voters ban smoking in bars, indoor workplaces
North Dakota voters approve smoking ban | INFORUM | Fargo, ND

North Dakota Measure 4 campaign chair acknowledges new law won't be strictly enforced, falsely claims banning e-cigarette use in all workplaces and within 20 feet of building entrances outdoors is "about making sure that everybody is protected from secondhand smoke.”
Smoking ban buffer may cause issues for bars | INFORUM | Fargo, ND

 

[Vocalek]

North Dakota voters approve Measure 4, bans e-cigarette use in about a hundred thousand workplaces, bans smoking in several hundred, bans e-cigarette use and smoking outdoors within 20 feet of building entrances.
ND voters ban smoking in bars, indoor workplaces
North Dakota voters approve smoking ban | INFORUM | Fargo, ND

North Dakota Measure 4 campaign chair acknowledges new law won't be strictly enforced, falsely claims banning e-cigarette use in all workplaces and within 20 feet of building entrances outdoors is "about making sure that everybody is protected from secondhand smoke.”
Smoking ban buffer may cause issues for bars | INFORUM | Fargo, ND

You KNOW it isn't about protecting everybody from SHS when they want to take shelters that were built to protect smokers (and contain the smoke) and tear down 67% of the walls. If it was only about protecting employees that might have to walk into those shelters, the intelligent way to have written the law would have been to state that employers cannot require employees to enter them.