ND HB1292

Amends North Dakota Century Code sections 23-12-09 and 23-12-10.4 to regulate smoking in public places and places of employment, including definitions of key terms like "e-cigarette," "enclosed area," "public place," and "place of employment."

Defines "e-cigarette" as any electronic oral device with a heating element and battery that provides vapor of nicotine or other substances, and treats its use as "smoking" under the law.

Requires owners, operators, and managers of smoking-prohibited areas to post no smoking signs at entrances and throughout facilities, remove ashtrays (except factory-installed vehicle ashtrays), and communicate smoking prohibition policies to employees by December 6, 2012.

Directs proprietors to ask persons smoking in violation to extinguish products and leave premises; if the person refuses, proprietors must immediately report the violation to enforcement agencies and are protected from liability for the violation.

Passed House by vote of 72-22 and Senate unanimously 47-0 during the 2013 legislative session.