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Posted on 03/02/2004 4:36:48 AM PST by SheLion

PIERRE, S.D. - An effort on behalf of smokers who want to once again be allowed to light up at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings failed miserably Wednesday in the Legislature.

The House Health Committee killed a bill 11-1 that would have made an exception to the 2002 state law that forbids smoking in most places open to the public. HB1086 would have provided an exemption for meeting rooms used by support groups for those with alcohol, drug and gambling problems.

Rep. Claire Konold, R-Watertown, offered the measure. He said many alcoholics are now avoiding Alcoholics Anonymous meetings because they may no longer smoke at those sessions.

"It is very important for those people to get to these meetings," Konold said.

Alcoholism is a serious disease, and people who have the problem should not be deterred from seeking help through support groups, he said.

However, opponents of the bill said people who smoke can hold off for the hour or so that the meetings last.

"They don't have to smoke all the time," said Rep. Bill Thompson, D-Sioux Falls.

"They do have an option. It's to step outside," added Rep. Jeffrey Haverly, R-Rapid City.

Others said this is no time to reverse progress made in 2002 when legislators banned smoking in most public places. Opponents of HB1086 also said that allowing smoking at meetings for people with alcohol, drug and gambling addictions would cause many nonsmokers to avoid the meetings.

"This is taking a great big step backwards," warned Rep. Larry Frost, R-Aberdeen.

People have the right to be free from the ill effects of secondhand smoke, said Kitty Kinsman, lobbyist for the Tobacco-Free Kids Network. The bill should be killed because it would allow smoking anywhere in meeting rooms used by people with alcohol problems, she said.

"We should not be trading one addiction for another," said Kinsman, former state health secretary.

Louis Peta, a former smoker from Pierre who has been in AA since 1976, was among those to testify Wednesday against the bill. He said legislators should not give a special exemption to alcoholics who smoke.

Smoking at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings became an issue last year in Hughes County when a Fort Pierre man was charged with breaking the law. Bernie Bergeson insisted that the meeting hall in Pierre was not a public place, but he was convicted and ordered to pay a $20 fine.

State law forbids smoking in most indoor areas where the public is invited or permitted. The law does not restrict smoking in motel rooms, casinos, bars, restaurants serving liquor, and stores that primarily sell liquor or tobacco.

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