Bar smoking ban takes effect in Bismarck after City Commission certifies election results

A ban on smoking in bars, truck stops and tobacco shops has gone into effect in North Dakota's capital city.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that the City Commission on Tuesday certified the results of an April 19 election, putting the ban into effect after bars closed at 1 a.m. Wednesday.

Sixty percent of voters favored the smoking ban. Voters also decided in a closer vote not to allow bars to build smoking huts for patrons who go outside.

The City Commission passed a ban last August but its November start was suspended when opponents referred the issue to a public vote.