Smoking Ban Hearing Heats Up Today In Pierre

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By KSFY Staff

Story Created: Oct 6, 2009 at 9:16 AM CST

Story Updated: Oct 6, 2009 at 11:03 AM CST

It’s been weeks since the issue of a statewide smoking ban has been debated. Today a judge in Pierre may decide on a few key issues that could bring the controversial ban to a public vote.

The American Cancer Society has already filed a motion to intervene in the smoking ban issue. Today in Pierre, SD, a judge may grant that motion.

The judge also has a few other summary judgements to consider. Both the group of bar owners and the Secretary of State's office have submitted summary judgements. Basically that means both sides will ask the judge to make a decision in their favor.

For the group of bar owners who collected petitions, they will ask the judge to rule that they did in fact collect enough valid petitions to put this smoking ban on the November 2010 ballot.

For the Secretary of State's office they will ask the judge to rule that the office did the review of the petitions accurately and that the office's decision be upheld.

It is also possible the judge will not rule on either of these summary judgements and instead will decide to take this debate to trial starting October 26th and 27th.

It is a hot issue that Action News is following. Join us for the latest from today's courtroom tonight at five and six.

Stay with KSFY Action News for the latest on this story.

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Wednesday, Oct 7 at 8:59 PM anonymous wrote ...

to 9:36am, the only reason they are priced so high is people not wanting to pay for programs but want someone to pay for it also for those who thought there would be no side affects

Wednesday, Oct 7 at 8:36 AM Anonymous wrote ...

By simply buying cancer sticks at those prices shows their I.Q.

Tuesday, Oct 6 at 10:50 PM stupid wrote ...

Marine, YOu are way off, Lets see is it your job to smoke no, are you protecting someone when you smoke no. Try again there is no benefit from smoking and that makes it completely different from your examples.

Tuesday, Oct 6 at 5:38 PM Marine wrote ...

To healthcare view, next you'll ask that anyone who has consumed alcohol and later liver problems not be helped? You were a firefighter and now have lung disese, it was your choice? Next you farmers and ranchers, you made a choice, your skin cancer is not my problem? Then will it become, you veterans you voluntarily served, I shouldn't need to pay for your injuries and possible lifetime disabilities? I'm proud that my time in the military and as a firefighter protected your life and freedoms

Tuesday, Oct 6 at 4:52 PM non-smoker wrote ...

people with a reasonable I.Q usually dont smoke

Tuesday, Oct 6 at 2:24 PM Rob wrote ...

To 11:52 A.M, no your not asking us to smoke you are forcing us to smoke because we don't have a choice If your doing it in the same room then we have to breathe it. AND THIS IS THE PROBLEM. I guess because you make such a stupid statement must be the reason you people are not seeing the big picture. Do yourself (everyone) a favor and stop smoking.

Tuesday, Oct 6 at 1:36 PM terry wrote ...

I dont understand why Bar owners are so against this. Do they know that if people could not smoke in Bars that maybe they would get more people to come to there place. I know a place in Minnesoat and they are so happy of the smoking ban. They have more customers than they did before. Maybe it is because the bar owners smoke. Time to sart thinking of other people.

Tuesday, Oct 6 at 12:08 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Everyone has to SMELL smokers. A lady was behind me in the grocery store the other day and she stunk so bad I just about turned around and told her to go take a shower. Can't you people tell how bad you stink.

Tuesday, Oct 6 at 11:27 AM Air pollution wrote ...

Alcoholism only physically hurts the person who consumes it. Smoke disperses and affects anyone and everyone nearby. And children never have a choice of their parents smoking near them or not.

Tuesday, Oct 6 at 11:24 AM healthcare view wrote ...

Anyone who smokes should be ineligible for Medicaid benefits if they get smoking-related cancer. It is their choice to do something that causes cancer, so they shouldn't expect public assistance for their chemo treatment.

Tuesday, Oct 6 at 10:52 AM Anonymous wrote ...

do we ask u to sit by us? alcoholism fithy habit anybody can say anything is a filthy habit but don't come around us not like were asking you to smoke!!!

Tuesday, Oct 6 at 9:29 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Get it over with. Ban smoking all together. Filthy habit.

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