County declines smoking ban stance (KS 1-17-05)

Publication Date: 2005-01-20

• Author:Barbara Hollingsworth
• Publication:The Topeka Capital-Journal

Shawnee County commissioners declined to take a stand Thursday on a statement encouraging communities to protect people from second-hand smoke but said the county health agency could sign on in support.

The Shawnee County Medical Society is circulating the statement to health-related organizations as it seeks an indoor public smoking ban for the city and the county.

"Communities should enact comprehensive smoke-free public and workplace laws that protect all workers and all community members from the proven dangers of secondhand smoke," the statement said in part. "All workers have the right to breathe clean air regardless of the occupation they choose. The negative effects of secondhand smoke are not exclusive to any one industry or type of employees."