Rounds Studies Smoking Ban

Publication Date: 2009-03-17

• Author:CHET BROKAW
• Publication:Yankton Press & Dakotan

Governor Hopes To Decide Fate Of Bill Soon

Gov. Mike Rounds said Tuesday the potential loss of state revenue from gambling taxes will play no role in his decision on whether to sign a measure that would ban smoking in casinos and bars.

The governor said his staff is reviewing the language and details of the smoking ban passed by the South Dakota Legislature to make sure it is written correctly.

"Once they've given me their analysis of some language in the bill, I'll make a decision on it," Rounds said at a news conference held to discuss budget issues. "Hopefully, it won't be much longer."

Rounds said he and state lawmakers have known that revenue from Deadwood casinos and video lottery establishments will drop if smoking is banned there...

Rounds said he will decide whether to sign the smoking ban after his staff answers his questions about how the bill is written.

"As I've told people, I don't like smoking. I don't like second-hand smoke," the governor said. "But I have to balance that with making darn sure the bill is written correctly and it doesn't have unintended consequences."