Smoking-ban debate on hold

Publication Date: 2005-01-27

• Author:TERRY WOSTER
• Publication: Sioux Falls (SD) Argus-Leader

Anti-tobacco forces decided Wednesday against immediately re-engaging debate on a failed bill that would have banned smoking in South Dakota workplaces, but they vowed the issue will be back before the 2005 Legislature ends in March.

The House voted 39-31 Tuesday to kill the workplace smoking ban, an expansion of tobacco restrictions passed in 2002. Supporters of the ban had said they would try to get their bill reconsidered Wednesday, which would have taken a majority of the House. That would have required 36 votes, or five more than they mustered to support their bill on Tuesday.