KOTA Territory NewsSmoking ban exceptions bill may have a tough fight

Smoking ban exceptions bill may have a tough fight

Cindy Davis

A house bill that would allow some exceptions to a state-wide smoking ban will have a tough fight in the South Dakota legislature. That's according to Republican Senator Tom Nelson of Lead.

House Bill 1253 would let people smoke in bars and casinos under certain conditions, like in a special room that's smoking only. It would also require a sign posted that read, "Smoking Area."

Nelson signed onto the bill that was introduced by Representative Jim Bolin of Canton, although he doesn't think it has much of a chance making it to the ballot.  Representative Chuck Turbiville is strongly opposed to the measure and believes it will die in committee, going so far as to guarantee as much.

Casino managers think it would be a good compromise.

"We've look at other states that have had this smoking ban before and we see double digit decreases in revenue, so that's a concern as an operator in Deadwood. Maybe having an exception for some businesses that it potentially would hurt certainly would be a compromise," said Caleb Arceneaux, manager of Cadillac Jack's Casino. 

"It's got a tough fight. I think it's going to go to House State Affairs, and a majority of the members of the House State Affairs were the prime sponsors on the smoking ban last year. So, I think it's got a tough fight ahead in committee but I think the discussion will be good. Once we see what happened in November, we may come back next year with something similar."

If lawmakers approve the bill and Governor Mike Rounds doesn't veto it, voters will have their say in the November general election.