Tobacco.org

Ruling Means Voters To Decide Smoking Ban 

It's been nearly a year since South Dakota lawmakers approved a smoking ban in the state, but it could be another year before we hear the final word on the issue. A circuit court judge's ruling will allow the voters of South Dakota to decide the fate of the smoking ban.

Judge Kathleen Trandahl's ruling Friday afternoon gave opponents of the ban more than 2,000 signatures. The major ruling came when Trandahl said the petitions that contained notary errors were valid.

It's a ruling that's considered a victory by one side and may be challenged by the other. Allowing South Dakotans to vote on a statewide smoking ban is what opponents have been fighting for since the ban was passed by the legislature this spring.

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