Monday, March 16 2009
By Chris McCalla, Legislative Director,
IPCPR
Following a long fight at the capitol, South Dakota legislators finalized a bill signed by the governor that effectively bans most public smoking throughout the state.
House Bill 1240, now law, provides an explicit exemption for retail tobacco shops. HB1240 also allowed smoking in other establishments, in possession of licenses to serve alcoholic beverages (a cigar bar), that derive a minimum of 10% gross revenues from the sale of cigars, has a humidor on the premises, and limits smoking to only any premium tobacco products.
Retailers in Deadwood and Sioux Falls, working with the IPCPR, were instrumental in gaining these necessary exemptions. While we are not 100% satisfied with any smoking ban, we understood the odds against us in this fight and recognize the victory. A generous "Thank You" goes out to these retailers and their customers.
For more information on tobacco legislation news in your state, please visit IPCPR.org.
