Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. has vetoed a smoking ban that tribal lawmakers passed last month at Window Rock, Ariz., The Associated Press is reporting.

The law would have banned smoking and chewing tobacco in public places. Shirley’s veto, meanwhile, has provoked criticism from lawmakers and health advocates.

The wire service goes on to report:
 

… he (Shirley) rejected the measure because he feared it would infringe on religious ceremonies and inhibit gambling revenue. He also said the measure didn’t focus enough on underage smoking.

Shirley said in his veto message that the law "is unreasonably broad, unenforceable, provides no administrative appeal process, puts the nation at a competitive disadvantage and fails to address the real problem on the Navajo Nation of underage smoking."

The story says that advocates like the American Cancer Society may work with tribal lawmakers to try to override Shirley’s veto.