Anti-smoking bill goes down in defeat

Publication Date: 2009-02-04

• Author:BOB MERCER
• Publication:AberdeenNews.com, SD

Sen. Mike Vehle, the last name called in the roll, cast the deciding "no" vote on Tuesday as the state Senate narrowly refused to prohibit smoking in most bars, casinos and restaurants that serve alcohol across South Dakota.

He said customers and employees "can vote with their feet" about whether they want to do business and whether they want to work in places that allow smoking...

The vote was 17 yes and 18 no.

Sen. Dave Knudson, the bill's prime sponsor, immediately gave official notice he intends to have the legislation reconsidered.

Knudson, R-Sioux Falls, said passage of the ban would be a step toward better protecting the public's health.

"It's now clear there is no safe level of secondhand smoke," he said.