Tobacco.org

Civic center fears loss of smokers' money  

The failure of a bill to ban smoking in public places throughout the state means the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center will still be on unequal footing for hosting the state pool and dart tournaments.

Though the bill, HB1237, was intended to protect people from second-hand smoke, it also would have protected the civic center, which will go smoke-free entirely by 2010, from market forces.

The city decided in 2006 to phase out smoking entirely in the facility, despite the potential loss of business if the tournaments decided to leave Rapid City.

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