It wasn’t as restrictive as some had hoped, but in the case of Sioux Falls, S.D., some smoking ban is clearly better than none.
On Tuesday night, the city council passed an ordinance that bans the use of tobacco products and electronic smoking devices within 25 feet to the entrance to any city building, as well as at city parks during events geared towards youth. Larger events held within the city will have to designate smoking areas on permit applications that will be reviewed and approved by the city.
While smoking on the city’s golf courses is still allowed, it has been banned in the areas around the clubhouses, which include the first tee and the greens of the 9th and 18th holes. Smoking is also now banned at ticketing and loading stations for city buses. Additionally, the use of tobacco products and electronic smoking devices is now prohibited in all vehicles owned, leased, or operated by the city.
The new law does not include any monetary fines for those who violate the ban, but those individuals can be ejected from events or buildings where the ban is in effect.
Sioux Falls is the most populous city in South Dakota with a population of nearly 169,000 people.