American Cancer Society will not challenge judge's ruling in South Dakota smoking ban dispute
Associated Press
11/19/09 10:35 AM PST
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The American Cancer Society says it will not appeal a judge's decision that clears the way for South Dakota's new smoking ban to be referred to a statewide public vote.
Jennifer Stalley, the group's government relations director, says the society will instead begin its effort to support the smoke-free law when it goes to a public vote next November.
The law would ban smoking in bars and casinos. Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Trandahl ruled late last week that opponents had collected enough signatures to force a public vote.
Bar and casino owners had collected the signatures earlier but the American Cancer Society challenged some of them. Secretary of State Chris Nelson had ruled some signatures were invalid but ban supporters appealed to the circuit court.
