The Smoking Ban Boogey Man is rearing his head

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Gambling revenue going could go down? Good;

DEADWOOD — Gov. Mike Rounds has refused to say whether he’ll sign the statewide smoking ban now on his desk, but he’s made it clear he has a lot to consider: Business owners’ rights. Public health concerns. The potential effect on Deadwood casinos and statewide video lottery, which funneled a combined $117 million into the state’s coffers last year.

A state economist told senators earlier this month that video lottery revenue could drop 15 to 25 percent if smoking is banned, and other states point to the possibility of casinos posting similar losses.

And I’m still trying to fathom how this is a bad thing? Gambling is a social ill that costs taxpayer’s more in crime and other financial problems than what we make from it. It also is a horrible way to fund government. I see this as a positive.

“A lot of people are saying, ‘We don’t go to Deadwood because of the smoking situation,’” he said. “If you take that away, you’ll now gain a patron.”

And this casino owner is correct. You may actually gain MORE business because of the ban. People who are against the ban use the same old tired arguments. Enough already. Too bad there isn’t a ban on bullshit in Pierre.

Robin Hood: Men in Tights full

I still think he is gonna veto it

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I guess it’s the cynic in me, but I think King Rounds is gonna veto the smoking ban.

Rounds has until March 27 to veto, sign or allow the bill to become law without his signature, but a decision could come early this week. And even the people closest to the fight don’t know what the governor plans to do.

“I think it depends on who you talk to,” state Rep. Chuck Turbiville of Deadwood said. “If you talk to the casinos, there’s a good chance the governor will veto. If you talk to the nonsmoking group, there’s a pretty good chance that he won’t.”

He loves taxpayer money, and that is more important to him than the health of SD Workers. I also think his silence and feet dragging are hinting he is gonna veto it to. You would think with over 70% of South Dakotans supporting this thing, he would sign the legislation with a special ceremony. No talk of that either.

Damn nanny-staters are trying to save us healthcare costs!

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In Colorado they saw significant drops in heart attacks after the smoking ban took affect;

Hewett says South Dakota could see a drop as many as 400 fewer heart attacks within the first year of a smoking ban.  He cites a study conducted in Pueblo, Colorado, which found the number of people admitted for heart attacks dropped 27 percent in 18 months, and 41 percent in 3 years after a smoking ban was implemented.

How dare government is concerned about the health of the public! They should be smoking, drinking and gambling instead of taking care of themselves!

Should there be a ceremony if he vetoes it?

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The Gargoyle Leader‘s Editorial board supports a smoking ban, of course they do, they wouldn’t want there subscriptions to slide anymore;

As a matter of fact, Rounds should make a big deal of the signing. Have a ceremony. Use one of those special pens. Gather a crowd.

I still think he will not sign it. No special pens just a big fat ugly F’U citizens of South Dakota Stamp.

It’s been a long, hard fight to protect the health of all of the state’s workers.

Wow! The AL actually gets it right – this has always been about workers not business owners, another reason why Rounds will take a gigantic crap on it.

One more reason why I think the smoking ban should have applied to ALL bars

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There is already debate about the cigar bar exemption;

A smoking ban backer says restaurants, pubs or casinos thinking of becoming cigar bars to get around the ban – if it’s enacted – won’t be able to do it.

As it passed the state Senate earlier this week, the ban would exempt existing cigar bars making at least 10 percent of their gross revenue from cigar sales. That applies to just two businesses in the entire state: Stogeez Cigar Lounge in Sioux Falls and the Deadwood Tobacco Co. and Cigar Bar.

Yeah, I bet 10% of Stogeez gross revenue comes from cigars – whatever. Who is cooking the books there? I hear Matt Adamski’s accountant is looking for a job. This is what Kant says in the AL;

Stogeez owner Tim Kant said 14 percent to 16 percent of his business is cigar sales, or about 10,000 cigars sold a year.

Why jeopardize good legislation by exempting a whopping TWO businesses in the entire state? Because, once again, If Tim Kant wants it, lawmakers cave.