Comedian Ron White plays down hubbub in N. Dakota over cigar smoked onstage

Star Tribune

Last update: May 19, 2009 - 10:10 PM

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Comedian Ron White is breaking his silence about authorities giving him grief for puffing on a cigar during his act last month in North Dakota.

White, speaking with the TMZ gossip TV show Monday outside a Beverly Hills restaurant, called the ash-clash in Bismarck "a little cigar incident, no big deal."

White said that cities on his tour know "that I am going to smoke on stage. It's really considered a stage prop, as much as I hate to say it."

Online notices promoting the April 30 show said: "Caution: This show is for mature audiences only. Artist smokes a cigar and drinks scotch onstage."

Police sent a plainclothes officer to check out the comedian's performance at the Belle Mehus Auditorium, after a complaint that his routine might violate a city ordinance that bars smoking in public places.

Police Sgt. Dwight Offerman says the officer reported that White lit up his cigar at the start of the show, once during the show and then at the end.

Smoking in public places is punishable by fines of up to $500.

Now it's up to the city attorney about whether to pursue White for the violation.

White is part of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, which also counts Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable guy and Bill Engvall in its corral of comics.

PAUL WALSH

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