Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. vetoed legislation that banned tobacco use in public places.

Shirley called the ban too broad. He said it failed to address religious concerns and underage drinking and said it would have hurt revenues at the tribe's forthcoming casino, which opens this fall.

The ban applied to smoking and chewing tobacco in public buildings and shared public air space. Exemptions were allowed for ceremonial uses.

The Navajo Nation Council approved the ban last month. Health advocates welcomed the move and said they hoped delegates would override the veto.

Get the Story:
Navajo president vetoes smoking ban (AP 8/7)
Tobacco use: Health vs livelihood? (The Gallup Independent 8/7)

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Navajo Nation Council passes public smoking ban (7/30)