Organizer: Petition On Smoking Ban A Success

The coordinator of an attempt to have South Dakota voters decide whether to enact a tougher smoking ban says more than enough petition signatures have been gathered.

Larry Mann says he thinks the petitions will be turned in June 22 but that more will be sought to make sure there's enough. The revised ban, set to take effect July 1, would make it illegal to smoke in public places such as bars, restaurants and video lottery establishments.

If 16,776 valid petition signatures are turned in by June 29, the ban won't be enacted until voters decide the matter in November 2010.

Mann, who represents the Video Lottery Establishments of South Dakota, says he doesn't advocate smoking but that the issue of whether establishments permit smoking should be decided by the people.