Cindy Pic, Grand Forks, letter: Thanks for smoke-free workplace ordinance

GRAND FORKS — It has been almost eight months since April 5, when the Grand Forks City Council expanded the local smoke-free workplace ordinance.

The Grand Forks Board of Health commends the City Council for its courage in deciding to protect all workers, not just some, from the hazards of secondhand smoke.

Public safety is the responsibility of our elected officials, and council members rose to your charge, setting the example for the rest of North Dakota.

Since Aug. 15, the ordinance implementation date, the community has accepted the new and healthy environments and made any changes that were necessary.

The transition has been a positive one, with businesses embracing the changes with creativity and patience. Customers have been reporting improved enjoyment of the cleaner air in the venues.

The city of Grand Forks is a better place to live, work and play as a result of the protections now in place.

Cindy Pic

Pic, a Grand Forks County commissioner, is chairwoman of the Grand Forks Board of Health.

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