Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly on Friday vetoed a Esse cigarettes smoking regulation act passed last month by the tribal council, saying the measure doesn't go far enough to protect the health of Navajos.
Tribal lawmakers voted July 20 to prohibit smoking in public places on the vast reservation with an exemption for tribal casinos. Under the bill, the Tribal Council could reconsider the casino exemption once gaming officials pay off their financing debts.
In a statement, Shelly said he overturned the council's decision because "the passage of this legislation does not adequately address any given employees who are subjected to a smoking workplace environment."
