Smoking ban opponents to file petitions Monday

Publication Date: 2009-06-19

• Author:Nestor Ramos
• Publication:Argus Leader

A group opposed to a statewide ban on smoking in bars and restaurants plans to file petitions Monday that would send the controversial issue to South Dakota voters.

Organizers of Citizens For Individual Freedom, a group formed in opposition to the smoking ban state legislators passed in this year's session, say they have collected substantially more than the 16,776 signatures required to refer the ban to the ballot.

If the South Dakota Secretary of State certifies the petitions, the smoking ban will be decided by voters during the 2010 general election.