Expanded Law Could Be Delayed By Action
Jump to full article: Yankton (SD) Press & Dakotan, 2009-06-23
Author: CHET BROKAW Associated Press Writer
Intro: Casino owners and others opposed to expanding the state's smoking ban filed petitions Monday that could have enough signatures to require a public vote on the issue.
The law passed earlier this year by the South Dakota Legislature would ban smoking in bars, casinos in historic Deadwood and video lottery establishments. It extends a ban that has outlawed smoking in workplaces and most public areas since 2002.
The expansion is scheduled to take effect July 1. But the start date would be delayed until after next year's election if opponents have enough signatures to call for a vote.
Petitions with an estimated 25,000 signatures were submitted to Secretary of State Chris Nelson by a coalition representing bars and gambling establishments. If the documents contain at least 16,776 valid signatures, the smoking ban will go on the November 2010 ballot for a statewide vote.
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