Smoking Ban To Go To Public Vote In 2010

Tools

By KSFY Staff

Story Created: Nov 14, 2009 at 6:14 PM CST

Story Updated: Nov 14, 2009 at 6:38 PM CST

Smokers will have at least another year of smoking in the bars in South Dakota.

That's because a circuit judge ruled yesterday that opponents of South Dakota's smoking ban have gathered enough petition signatures to put the measure to a statewide public vote.

After testimony ended in a two-day trial, Circuit Judge Kathleen Trandahl found that opponents of the ban had collected 2,244 more signatures than they needed to force a public vote.

Bar and casino owners collected the signatures calling for a public vote. After the American Cancer society challenged some of the signatures, Secretary of State Chris Nelson ruled that many of the signatures were invalid.

Nelson and an official of the American Cancer Society said they will decide later whether to appeal Trandhal's decision to the South Dakota supreme court.

© 2009 KSFY Action News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

User Agreement

View comments

The following comments do not necessarily represent the views of KSFY.com. Users have agreed to these terms and in doing so accept full responsibility for their comments. Moderation is limited.

Monday, Nov 16 at 8:36 AM Steven wrote ...

How is that the the law isn't in effect now? It's ridiculous that a judge can stop a law from going into effect that was passed by the legislature. Why have a legislature when laws they pass don't go into effect anyway?

Sunday, Nov 15 at 11:42 AM me wrote ...

I think everything should go to a public vote. 90% of the time the people we pick to vote on stuff like this for us dont vote the way that they say they will. Let the public decide!!!!!!

Sunday, Nov 15 at 10:55 AM phoebesdad wrote ...

Once this is over, us viewers can FINALLY be rid of the nauseating close ups of overflowing ashtrays onscreen.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KSFY.com and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

I have read and agree to the terms

Hide comments

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

On Demand

Stock Quotes

AP Video