PIERRE - The South Dakota smoking ban will not take effect as scheduled next week because sufficient signatures have been filed to put the measure to a statewide public vote in next year's November election.
A coalition of bar and casino owners filed petition signatures Monday to refer the smoking ban to a public vote.
Secretary of State Chris Nelson says his office has determined that enough valid signatures exist to put the measure on the ballot.
The law passed earlier by the South Dakota Legislature would ban smoking in bars, Deadwood casinos and video lottery establishments. It extends a ban that has outlawed smoking in most public areas and workplaces since 2002.
