PIERRE -- Following in the footsteps of the American Cancer Society, state officials Friday said the State of South Dakota doesn't intend to appeal a judge's decision regarding the statewide smoke-free referendum petition.

Attorney General Marty Jackley and Secretary of State Chris Nelson said in a news release that they won't fight a decision by Judge Kathleen Trandahl ruled that there were enough petition signatures to refer the smoke-free law to the 2010 ballot and a public vote.

Earlier this week, the American Cancer Society said it wouldn't appeal Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Trandahl's that smoking ban opponents have enough valid signatures to put the issue to a vote of the people in 2010.

The law would ban smoking in bars and casinos.

Bar and casino owners had collected the signatures earlier, but the American Cancer Society challenged some of them. Secretary of State Chris Nelson had ruled some signatures were invalid but ban supporters appealed to the circuit court.