No Smoking Ordinance coming to Casselton? - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

No Smoking Ordinance coming to Casselton?

For decades now, bar owners in Casselton have had the opportunity to decide whether or not to allow smoking in their establishments. But that decision could soon be up to the town's residents.

 Red Baron Lounge owner Scott Mensing says the one thing that makes them stand out from the rest is that they are non- smoking. "When we moved into this new building, we went non-smoking," says Mensing.

Mensing says the decision to switch was because of the conversations he had with people in town and Mensing says since the bar's been tobacco free, he's actually noticed an increase in business. "It hasn't hurt business. It's actually probably picked up a little," says Mensing.

Now the owners of Red Baron Lounge made the decision to go smoke free, but come November if a majority of residents think the town should go non smoking, the other bars may have to follow suit.

"We are going to bring it up to a vote and then we will no more when they decide," says Ed McConnell, Casselton Mayor. McConnell says that on the November ballot residents will be able to answer if they'd like to see a no smoking ordinance. "It will be an advisory not yet a vote," says McConnell. He says from there they'll know whether to take the issue further. "There is a concern for smoking in the town," says McConnell.

And he says one day, maybe all the bars here in Casselton, may have this sign posted on the wall. "People know it's bad for them," says McConnell.