Group targets smoking in bars, casinos, motels

| Friday, November 07, 2008

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The Associated Press

PIERRE -- The South Dakota Tobacco-Free Kids Network launched a campaign Thursday to ban smoking in all public places -- including bars, casinos and motel rooms.

Armed with results of a scientific survey that shows 65 percent support from South Dakotans, the issue will be taken to the 2009 Legislature.

Only 5 percent of those polled did not believe secondhand smoke is a health hazard. The survey of 500 registered voters, taken in late August, had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Existing state law prohibits smoking in most places of employment and indoor public areas, but it makes exceptions for lodging, businesses where alcohol is served and businesses primarily used for the sale of tobacco or alcoholic beverages.

The proposed legislation would eliminate all such exemptions. State lawmakers have rejected such legislation in the past.

The anti-smoking coalition says exemptions from the smoking ban should be removed to protect the health of employees who work in those businesses and their customers.

"It's clear that people in South Dakota want to get the smoke out," said Dr. Allen Nord of Rapid City, chairman of the Tobacco-Free Kids Network.

"It doesn't matter if you're a Democrat or Republican, live in the Black Hills, Pierre, Sisseton or Sioux Falls, this poll affirms what we already know, that a strong majority of South Dakotans want to go smoke-free."

Nord said 24 states -- including Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Montana -- have comprehensive statewide smoke-free laws. It is time for South Dakota to join the pack, he said.

"Every worker, no matter where they work, deserves protection from secondhand smoke," Nord added. "Just because you work in a casino or a bar doesn't mean your health doesn't matter. No one should have to choose between their health and a paycheck."

The poll, which was done by Public Opinion Strategies, found that 79 percent of those who have never smoked favor a ban on smoking in all workplaces and 66 percent of former smokers favor such a ban. Among smokers polled, 78 percent opposed the proposal.

Kitty Kinsman, former state health secretary and a member of the anti-smoking coalition, said Thursday that the survey clearly shows most people now believe secondhand smoke is more than just a nuisance.

"It doesn't make any difference where you live or what your politics are ... South Dakotans overwhelmingly support expanding secondhand smoke protections in South Dakota," she said.

Kinsman said similar legislation also will be offered next year in Wyoming and North Dakota.