Rapid City Civic Center Takes Aim at e-Cigarettes

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — The Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City wants to ban electronic cigarettes.

E-cigarettes are an odorless, vapor-emitting cigarette substitute. They're not included in South Dakota's smoking ban, but civic center officials have asked the city attorney's office to ban them at the facility anyway.

General Manager Brian Maliske tells the Rapid City Journal that it's difficult for staff to distinguish whether event patrons are smoking e-cigarettes or real cigarettes, because they look the same.

Assistant City Attorney Ryan Soye says he's studying the center's request and expects to make a recommendation soon.

E-cigarette seller Robyn Bondeson says she understands banning e-cigarette use in the civic center audience but not in other indoor areas away from crowds.

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