The Navajo Nation Council will meet today in a special session. Among the items on the agenda is a ban on tobacco use in public places.

The council passed a bill to outlaw tobacco but President Joe Shirley Jr. vetoed it. He said it was too broad and would hurt revenues at the tribe's forthcoming casino, which opens this fall. Jr.

Council delegates say they have to look out for the health of the Navajo people. Ceremonial tobacco usage is exempted by the bill.

Another item on the special session agenda is a proposal to take control of the Canyon de Chelly National Monument from the National Park Service.

Get the Story:
Navajo Council seeks to override tobacco ban veto (AP 9/10)
Navajo Nation seeks control of Canyon de Chelly (AP 9/10)

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