SD Smoking Ban May Go To Public Vote

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By AP writer Chet Brokaw

Story Created: Jun 22, 2009 at 10:24 AM CST

Story Updated: Jun 22, 2009 at 10:24 AM CST

Petitions bearing an estimated 25,000 signatures have been filed to refer a South Dakota law that would ban smoking in bars, restaurants and casinos to a public vote.

A coalition representing bars, Deadwood casinos and video lottery casinos submitted the petition signatures to the secretary of state's office. If at least 16,776 valid signatures are on the petition documents, the smoking ban would be placed on the November 2010 ballot for a statewide vote.

The smoking ban is scheduled to take effect July 1. But if it is put to a public vote, it would be suspended from taking effect until voters decide its fate next year.

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Monday, Jun 22 at 10:59 AM UNKNOWN wrote ...

THIS SHOULD GO TO A PUBLIC VOTE...SMOKERS HAVE RIGHTS TOO!

Monday, Jun 22 at 11:43 AM Roy wrote ...

Why does that woman have sideburns?

Monday, Jun 22 at 11:48 AM Anonymous wrote ...

What a joke. Stupid smokers holding up the show.

Monday, Jun 22 at 11:55 AM To Roy wrote ...

It's a he/she named Pat that chokes on cancer sticks thats why, HAHA. Nice picture huh.

Monday, Jun 22 at 12:25 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I hope it does not pass.

Monday, Jun 22 at 12:35 PM Anonymous wrote ...

LOL If I smoked I'd wanna look just kike that.

Monday, Jun 22 at 1:22 PM I LOVE JESUS! wrote ...

This smoking ban just has to pass....the business' are not going to suffer any at all!! maybe at first but it will ware off and things will be fine! Let's pass this thing....GO SOUTH DAKOTA!!!

Monday, Jun 22 at 1:30 PM Anonymous wrote ...

what about the smokers...why does this just have to pass...look around in bars and casinos 95% of those people are smokers....spending their hard earned money...when they go else where to spend their money than what...seen many smoke free enviroments last all of but 30 days and closed its doors because couldnt make it...

Monday, Jun 22 at 1:48 PM Anon wrote ...

As I see it..The ban is not supported by a lot of people. In the bar I work at, many people signed the petition because they saw it as an infringement on their rights. As one nonsmoker said "Put a sign on the door that this is a smoking establishment, if someone doesn't want to be around it, they don't have to come in" Leave the choice up to the people.

Monday, Jun 22 at 6:49 PM Anonymous wrote ...

im not a smoker but i hope it doesnt pass

Monday, Jun 22 at 7:24 PM Need it wrote ...

I am a smoker and hope it does pass, I know my second hand smoke harms others and can't stop on my own this would help me a lot..

Monday, Jun 22 at 9:07 PM Anonymous wrote ...

we have the right to vote on it.

Tuesday, Jun 23 at 6:09 AM wildflower wrote ...

My Grandmas weren't perfect, but at least they always smelled like chocolate chip cookies or Avon, not like smoldering burn barrels.

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