Anti-tobacco group to push indoor smoking ban

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BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — An anti-tobacco group wants to put an initiative on North Dakota's ballot to ban smoking in all indoor work places.

North Dakota law already prohibits indoor smoking in most businesses. But it's allowed in bars, designated motel rooms and a few other places.

A group called Smoke-Free North Dakota turned in a proposed initiative to Secretary of State Al Jaeger on Wednesday.

West Fargo respiratory therapist Chelsey Matter is chairwoman of the campaign. She says all North Dakota voters should be able to decide whether to ban workplace smoking.

The North Dakota Legislature approved broad restrictions on indoor smoking in 2005. But they've refused to apply it to smoking in bars.

The initiative will need more than 13,500 signatures from North Dakota voters to get on the ballot.

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