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USD Student Government Passes Smoke-Free Resolution  

Smokers at the University of South Dakota may be forced to snuff out their cigarettes in the coming year, if the university decides to prohibit on-campus tobacco smoking. . . .

But smoking on campus could become a thing of the past, as a student-driven resolution would make the University of South Dakota smoke-free. And while most smokers are against it, Bodoh and Coslet are not.

"If they don't smoke, why should they have to smell like it? Why do they have to breathe it in if they make the choice not to do it," Bodoh said.

Student Government Association President Collin Michels is spear-heading the smoke-free resolution. After the association passed it in November, it lies in the hands of the University Executive Committee.

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Health push targets smoking  

Health officials will consider a ban on smoking in Sioux Falls parks as part of a larger effort to examine diet, exercise and lifestyle issues that determine the city's overall well-being.

The action to snuff cigarettes could result from a new program using federal grants to pay for local brainstorming to enhance preventive health. . . .

To ban smoking in parks would continue a trend to incrementally curtail the right to light up. South Dakota banned smoking inside many businesses in 2002 and extended the ban in 2010 to restaurants, bars and casinos.

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Bill Could Put Tax On 'Roll-Your-Own' Cigarettes  

Another effort to snuff out smoking could cost tobacco shops more money.

House Bill 1138 would require anyone who maintains or provides roll-your-own cigarette machines at retail stores to declare themselves cigarette manufacturers.

26th St. Tobacco Outlet manager Jada Pyper disagrees with the bill because she said her role in manufacturing cigarettes is pretty limited.

"I would grab the tobacco out of one of our bins depending on what flavor of tobacco they wanted and then load the tubes in the cartridge," Pyper said.

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Sioux Falls discussing smoking ban in public parks  

Sioux Falls is getting some help in its efforts to make the community a healthier place to live.

The Center for Disease Control has awarded the city with a grant to help fight diseases that are on the rise in the community. Sioux Falls has targeted obesity, heart disease, and tobacco use as diseases they want to reduce.

To do this the city is considering a smoking ban in the public parks making it more difficult for smokers to find a place to light up.

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South Dakota: Smoking bill snuffed out  

A South Dakota lawmaker who drafted legislation to exempt Deadwood casinos from a state ban on smoking indoors in public places said a lack of support has changed his mind about introducing the bill.

State Sen. Tom Nelson, R-Lead, believes the voter-approved ban enacted in November 2010 is cutting gambling revenue. But he said he's gotten mixed messages when talking with lawmakers about exempting Deadwood casinos.

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Smoking won't stop workers from getting jobs in South Dakota, yet  

As smoking bans sweep the country, an increasing number of employers - primarily hospitals - are imposing bans on hiring people who test positive for nicotine use, whether cigarettes, smokeless tobacco or even nicotine patches. Such policies appear designed to promote health and reduce insurance premiums, and are in force or coming to Texas, Ohio and Idaho among other places.

State law in South Dakota specifically prohibits employers from firing workers "due to that employee's engaging in any use of tobacco products off the premises of the employer during nonworking hours." But James Marsh, director of Labor and Management for the state Department of Labor, said Friday that he's not aware of any state laws applying to tobacco-free hiring policies.

"We've informed people in the past that if they were to establish policies that effectively prohibit them from hiring smokers, we're not going to stop them," Marsh said. "As far as we can tell, there aren't any human rights laws being violated."

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Legislation To Propose Smoking In Casinos  

DEADWOOD, SD - It's been more than a year since people have been able to smoke in Deadwood casinos. But if legislation proposed by State Senator Tom Nelson becomes law, that could change.

"Right now it's just in draft form, but it is a bill that would allow Deadwood casinos to have smoking again if they so choose," Sen. Tom Nelson said.

Since the smoking ban went into effect last November, Deadwood's gaming revenue has dropped. That's something Senator Nelson hopes his legislation will help correct.

"But on a whole, we're still down about six percent for the year, or about $6 million, which is about half a million dollars to the state. So, there are some real revenue numbers there, as well," Nelson said.

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Should smoking ban be lifted from Deadwood casinos?  

Should Deadwood casinos be exempt from the state wide smoking ban? A south Dakota state legislator is proposing just that.

Deadwood's Jill Ames says the famous old west town is experiencing some dark days.

"I see less people coming in, less buses coming in because of the ban. It's affected Deadwood greatly. Deadwood is dead," said Ames, an employee at a Deadwood restaurant.

Dead, she says, because of the smoking ban that went into effect last November.

Now a year later, a state lawmaker wants to breath new life into the town's casinos.

"We're down about $6 million in gross revenue, that's a little more than half a million in taxes to the state. We've seen revenue go down simply because the ban is in effect," said Senator Tom Nelson of Lead.

Senator Nelson is drafting a bill that would lift the ban but only on Deadwood gaming floors.

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• Nelson wants casino smoking-ban lifted 

Deadwood casinos that have blamed the smoking ban for a loss in revenue over the past year could get a break if state Sen. Tom Nelson, R-Lead, gets his way.

Nelson has drafted legislation that will exempt Deadwood casinos from the smoking ban.

The voter-approved ban that was enacted in November 2010 is being blamed for a drop in gambling revenue, which is the main reason an exemption should be considered, according to the state senator.

"The smoking ban has been devastating to gaming revenue," Nelson said. "The governor in his address said gaming revenue was down because of the smoking ban."

Casino owners were hoping revenue would bounce back quickly once the ban was implemented, but it has not, Nelson said.

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Police say cigarette cause of fatal house fire in Watertown  

The caller reported that a female was removed from the residence and was unresponsive. Watertown Fire Rescue responded and transported the victim to Prairie Lakes Hospital where she was declared dead, due to smoke inhalation.

The victim was identified as Valerie Voelsch, 48.

Investigators determined the likely cause of the fire was a lit cigarette on a piece of furniture within the home.

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Smoking ban exemption sought  

DEADWOOD — Are snuffed out cigars and cigarettes the smoking guns that have doused the dollars spent on gaming in Deadwood?

Sen. Tom Nelson, R-Lead, believes so, and in an effort to light a fire toward putting the industry back in the black, will propose legislation that exempts Deadwood casinos from the smoking ban that took effect in 2009, a measure that passed 65 percent to 35 percent on that year's general election ballot.

“As far as my legislative package goes, there are some things in there that need good discussion,” Nelson said. “I hope our legislators will see their way to help out our local economy.”

Nelson's proposed exemption legislation reads: “Exceptions to the smoking ban in certain Deadwood gaming establishments and certain fraternal, service and veteran's organizations,” and is followed up by a summary statement that reads: “Any gaming operator in Deadwood as licensed in 42-7B, PLUS specific fraternal, service or veteran's organizations with an on sale liquor license shall be exempt from the smoking ban.”

Nelson said his primary goal is to get the exemption for Deadwood, in an effort to revive the sagging gaming economy.

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Student Government Association passes smoke-free resolution, campus-wide policy could follow  

Smokers at the University of South Dakota may have to adjust to a smoke-free campus in the next year, as the USD Executive Committee is negotiating whether or not to make a policy prohibiting on-campus tobacco smoking.

As a result of the Student Government Association’s passing of a “Smoke-Free Campus Resolution” Nov. 29 during their weekly meeting in the Muenster University Center, the Executive Committee, which is made up of USD administration including President James Abbott, met Monday with SGA President junior Collin Michels to discuss pursuing a smoke-free policy in collaboration with SGA.

“This was my first time meeting with the Executive Committee, and overall, they seemed very receptive to the idea of a smoke-free campus,” Michels said. “The next step will be gathering more information as soon as possible of the process other schools have gone through, and collecting this information to present to the Executive Committee before moving onto creating a policy.”

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USD student government takes steps to stop smoking on campus 

The student government, at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, wants smokers to "butt out".

On Tuesday, the Student Government Association voted in favor of starting talks with university administration to create a smoking ban on campus property.

Many other universities across the country, like Iowa, have instituted a ban in recent years.

SGA members say it's time it was seriously discussed at USD.

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Editorial: One year later, a ban to savor  

Nov. 10, 2010, was hailed by most, including the Argus Leader Editorial Board, as a great day for South Dakota.

The state's ban on smoking was extended that day to include almost all indoor businesses, including bars, casinos and restaurants. Voters passed the measure by a 64-36 margin the week before.

As the one-year anniversary of the smoking ban passed recently, it's worth reiterating that it was the right decision, and we're better off for it. . . .

The smoking ban always had its detractors on the basis of personal liberties. Those voices now are joined by those who worry about declining tax money from cigarette and video lottery. Revenue from those sources is down about 20 percent.

What is clear, however, is the public has spoken on this issue. Its been vetted, voted on, emphatically passed and enjoyed for a year.

As a state, we soon will have to have serious discussions on what to do about the loss in revenue from video lottery -- smoking or not.

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LETTER: Snuffed Out 

I smoked for 33 years. After making the right move for my health and successfully quitting smoking 10 years ago, I couldn't stand walking into local establishments and being bombarded with the deadly habit I had worked so hard to kick. When 65 percent of South Dakotans voted last year to pass the statewide, smoke-free law I was so excited and relieved. . . .

Smoke-free laws, like ours, work. They save lives and save money in health care costs. Research shows they even help people like me quit the habit for good.

Thank you, South Dakota, for doing the right thing and making the health of everyone in this state a priority. I think I'll celebrate the law's anniversary (this month) by heading to my new favorite local establishment and letting them know just how much I appreciate their smoke-free air.

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