Trial delayed in SD smoking ban dispute

Publication Date: 2009-08-20

• Author:CHET BROKAW, PA
• Publication:The Daily Republic

The trial has been delayed in the legal battle over whether South Dakota's strengthened smoking ban should be put to a statewide vote next year.

The trial originally was scheduled to start next Monday, but now has been moved to Oct. 26 in Fort Pierre, according to the state attorney general's office.

Circuit Judge Kathleen Trandahl will hold a hearing on Sept. 11 to deal with some issues in the lawsuit...

The Sept. 11 hearing will deal with whether the American Cancer Society can intervene.

The law passed by the 2009 Legislature would ban smoking in bars, Deadwood casinos and video lottery establishments. The measure, which would extend a ban that has outlawed smoking in most workplaces and public areas since 2002, was to take effect July 1.