South Dakota House passes wide-ranging smoking ban

Publication Date: 2009-02-23

• Author:AP
• Publication:KCAU-TV

After an hour of sometimes emotional debate, the South Dakota House on Monday passed a measure that would ban smoking in bars, video lottery casinos and restaurants that serve liquor.

And as amended by the House, it also would ban smoking in Deadwood gambling halls. It would exclude motel rooms and businesses that sell mainly tobacco products.

The vote was 43-27 to send the measure to the Senate, which earlier defeated a different version of the smoking ban by one vote.

Informed of the House action, Senate Republican Leader Dave Knudson of Sioux Falls, who favors a smoking ban, says he can "enthusiastically" support the House version. He says he's "cautiously optimistic" a smoking ban will pass.

The version that failed in the Senate did not have the Deadwood exemption.