It’s Time: Smoke Free Supporters Will Challenge Petition Certification to Refer Smoke Free Law to Referendum

Following the review of petition signatures referring the statewide smoke-free air law to the November 2010 ballot, Dr. Allen Nord, Chairman of the South Dakota Tobacco Free Kids Network, issued the following statement:

“We have reviewed each of the signatures submitted to the Secretary of State to refer the statewide smoke free law, and have concluded the opponents to the smoke-fee law did not submit enough valid, signatures to meet the legal requirement for certification to the ballot. As such, paperwork will be filed with the Secretary of State before today’s 5:00 pm deadline to challenge the certification of the issue for the November 2010 ballot.

“Of the roughly 25,400 signatures reviewed, 38.9% percent, or 9,891, were found to be invalid which is why the It’s Time coalition intends to challenge the Secretary of State’s certification.

“We feel it is our obligation to the thousands of volunteers who have worked for this law, as well as the countless South Dakota workers exposed to secondhand smoke to do everything possible to ensure this law is implemented as passed.

“Every day smoking is allowed in our workplaces is another day workers and the public face increased risk of developing cancer, heart disease and respiratory illness caused by secondhand smoke. These are serious, potentially life threatening conditions that cannot be taken lightly. A delay in the implementation of the statewide smoke free law poses an immediate public health risk.

“Because we believe the law’s opponents have failed to gather the requisite number of signatures to send this issue to referendum, we will move forward with the petition process and request the Secretary of State review all the signatures gathered. It is our right to challenge the validity of the petition and we feel it is our responsibility to do so in order to protect South Dakotans’ right to breathe smoke-free air.”

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